Some of us here at Distill Social love a good sportsball game, and this summer has been special for all of us. While some of us may have quite a bit of envy at all of New York’s festivities with the Knicks this summer, It’s hard not to appreciate the pure explosion of joy, relief and child-like excitement that’s swept over that city. But there’s another sporting event that’s been capturing the hearts and minds of Americans, The World Cup.
One of the world’s truly global events, the World Cup has seen thousands of people come to our shores and experience what “real” America is like. The one that isn’t plagued by partisanship and fascist overtones. They’ve marveled at “free refills”, been utterly flabbergasted at Wal-Mart and Costco, or been moved to tears because small towns have learned their national anthems and painted their flags at training facilities. And most of all, they have loved partying with us. It’s a glimpse of what America functions like behind the veil, when the cameras (and the social media) are off.
We bring this up not to say that sports erases the ills of ICE and the gross consumerism that have been platformed due to this tournament. But more than ever, we want to say…enjoy it. Sports has a way of being a unifier, a thing we can all ban together through that cuts through our tribal lines. You’ve seen Scots drinking with Norwegians in Boston, Haitians and Brazilians dancing in the streets of New York, Mexicans making out with basically everyone in the middle of Guadalajara. This is what our technicolor culture is all about.
Do NOT feel bad about enjoying sports right now. Do NOT feel bad about wanting the USA to do well in the World Cup. Do NOT feel bad about letting yourself have joy. Because the past year has been draining at best and abject horror at worst. This is a time to dance and shout…but it’s also time to recognize your neighbor’s joy as well. And now that the US is in the round of 16, the team has the opportunity to go farther than they ever have. What’s not to love?
Recognize that while you may cheer for the USA, others are unabashedly waving their Mexican or French or Cape Verdean flag. Ask them about their team, the match they played the other day. Chat with them about why they have that love and devotion for their squad. You’ll come to find that even if the flags and jerseys are different, the passion is the same. Hell, it might be the only thing keeping us sane.
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