Sports, Nationalism and Political Correctness- BAH

[Barb Dwyer]

I heard an interesting story on the radio today (but can't verify it online from any news services) Still, I think it is worthy of discussion.

According to the sportscaster, the USTA, of which I am a card-carrying member, decided in its infinite wisdom to cease and desist in playing The Star Spangled Banner before the matches in this year's US Open. They think that it projects a superior attitude and are afraid that other countries will be offended if we appear too much for the 'home team'! They don't want it to look like we think any other country cannot produce talented players. They said that it might be assumed that we are too nationalistic. So, instead, they opted to play "America the Beautiful" Which makes soooo much more sense [/end sarcasm].

Geez, Louise! This political correctness garbage is for the birds. Excuse me...but what do they think everyone does at any sporting event? They do root for the home team! What do they think we play the national anthems at the Olympics for?

For national pride! (granted, since this is a professional tournament, the athletes are playing for money, but still there is a sense of pride about their homelands) Same with any international competition: soccer, track and field, equestrian events, alpine sports, Davis Cup, Ryder Cup, NHL. The list goes on.

Why is it suddenly 'bad manners' or bad form for us to play our national anthem before this sporting event? It is called the US Open for goodness' sake! Open to all comers - to take their best shot. To be proclaimed the best tennis player in the United States at this moment in time. Why shouldn't we demonstrate a little national pride? Heck, most of the highest ranked players call the US home now anyway - no matter their country of birth.

 

[sexy-girl]

to me it would be pretty silly if they played the national anthem of the united states in a match that had no US players ... play it at the start of the tournament yeah but seems pointless doing it every match


america has a bad rep for being impolite in sporting events ... usa fans annoyed some of the europeans in the last ryder cup and i think in tennis in US open fans have a bad rep for booing non us players


in some sports i think its ok too boo and heckle the other team but i guess golf/tennis its not ok according to rest of world so i can understand why they are wanting to try and clean up the image

 

[Barb Dwyer]

I meant to say at the beginning of the tourney- not each match.

And I know the US took a lot of flak for their behavior in last year's Ryder Cup. They did get a bit carried away.

But I don't condone being rude or foul mouthed towards any opponent. I don't appreciate it when others advocate such behavior either. That is where the term sportsmanship comes into play. There can and should be a healthy rivalry and determination to win in any sporting contest. But there should also be respect.

I think KM's thread about Little League touches on a similar subject. People - the world over- have become too focused on the end result. Winning at all costs regardless of other's feelings.

I think this is a poisonous way to introduce sports to children. Competition is a good thing. Humiliating or hurting an opponent is not.

As for the music and nationalism, I still don't see anything wrong in exhibiting support for "the home team."

 

[OUTSIDER]

I think the US open should have the star spagled banner played before it...or anything else they like after all it's your open not anybody else's.

Bad manners was a couple of years ago in the ryder cup when the USA had won but all rushed on to the green before the guy from the European team got a chance to play the last shot, ok he had already lost but it was just plain bad form to run on the green while the guy was trying to play his shot.

BTW, I've always liked the star spangled banner...great tune.

 

[Barb Dwyer]

Actually, Outsider, in Major League Baseball, they play the national anthem before the start of every game. (and, to be fair, we also play O, Canada! Whenever we play a team from up north)

In addition, many teams now play snippets of the player's favorite music/musicians too.

And, that incident during the Ryder Cup was in extremely poor taste.

 

[OUTSIDER]

Actually, Outsider, in Major League Baseball, they play the national anthem before the start of every game. (and, to be fair, we also play O, Canada! Whenever we play a team from up north)

In addition, many teams now play snippets of the player's favorite music/musicians too.

And, that incident during the Ryder Cup was in extremely poor taste.

There's nothing wrong with loving your country.

 

[shadowsource]

.

 

[OUTSIDER]

Belgium.....I spent two weeks there one afternoon.

 

[Guest]

This very topic was discussed on "The View" earlier, and was said to be an ironious story. Don't believe everything you hear.

 

[OUTSIDER]

This very topic was discussed on "The View" earlier, and was said to be an ironious story. Don't believe everything you hear.

Never seen "The View" (probably a US only programme) so I don't know what to say to you other than I found belgium a boring little truck stop on my way to more interesting places.