The
support system in sports at its core reflects the values and consciousness of
our society but most people are not mindful of that. Sports is a form of
ethnicity or tribalism, a vicarious way to engage in a form of group identity
and belonging. Sports is deeply tribal in the sense we root for our teams (or
countries of origin) during the Olympics, international contests and
tournaments like the World Cup. On the local level, we usually support the
neighborhood teams, area college and professional teams especially if they are
doing well.
In the world, sports enthusiasm is akin to ethnicity or tribalism. "After
all, we are social animals. We depend on the tribe for our safety and
well-being. When the lion attacks, as a group we've got a shot. Alone, we're
lion chow. When our tribe is doing well (economically, militarily, public health,
whatever...), our chances go up. When it's doing poorly, our chances go down.
So, it feels good to belong to a winning ethnic group or tribe, and not so
good—threatening, in fact—to belong to a group that's losing.
Think about all the ways we support the tribe. We subconsciously
choose our views on many issues so they match the views in the groups we most
strongly identify with, a theory called Cultural Cognition. We vote for our tribe (political party). We fight to the
death for our tribe in everything from gang wars to wars between nations
(tribes). In fact, if you look at a lot of the wars and mass violence in recent
history they were about nothing BUT tribe; Protestants v. Catholics in Northern
Ireland, Serbs v. Croats v. Muslims in the Balkans, Hutus and Tutsis in
Rwanda." David Ropeik.
There
is nothing inherently evil with ethnicity or tribalism it is natural extension
of the family an integral part of human existence/experience. Ethnicity or
tribalism was the first social organization it called for hierarchal
leadership, cohesion and cooperation. Every community across the globe retains
and protects its tribal legacies.
The
modern nation State has replaced the indigenous tribe and the clan as the
predominant socio-political entity around the world. Nevertheless, modern
nationalism and patriotism are forms of ethnicity or tribalism. The brouhaha
about the current clamour for restructuring is an interrelated example of
ethnicity or tribalism, tribal loyalties and antagonisms. It essentially deals
with identity politics.
As far
as the ethnic or tribal and cultural wars continue to percolate the country,
the conflicting ethnic groups or tribes are becoming more vociferous and
increasingly demonstrative. Will the clashes intensify into a major internal
war, or will the upcoming election season provide a distraction and respite
from the commotions? The conclusion is obvious: as a country, we must find ways
to deal with identity politics through restructuring.
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