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I
love
America for many things,
but one thing that stands out is its love for itself. Unlike
many nations that look forward to importing and imitating everything,
America takes
pride in its image and what it produces. This does not only
boost the American economy because it encourages its citizens to buy American
products, but it also creates a sense of value that attracts international
buyers and imitators. This is the same attitude that
attracts foreigners to the shores of
America who are seeking
greener pastures. Whether they find this greener pasture or
not, is another issue. It a marvelous thing to have pride in
one’s self and culture as long as you do not disregard the presence of other
nations, especially in the area of sport.
In the modern times, sports
have not only become a national tool for good publicity, but individuals also
rely on it to create multi-cultural business and personal relationships across
the globe. By watching global sporting events, like the FIFA
World Cup and the Summer Olympics, many social barriers among many nationalities
in the world today have been broken. Thanks to good sport
coverage of showing and introducing all sports, all countries, and all athletes
alike. Due to this open-mindedness and professionalism, many
good citizens of the world do not only get to learn the rule and how to play
each sport, but most importantly, they also familiarize themselves with great
athletes from various countries.
It is a wonderful feeling to
know that you can go anywhere in the world and mention a name of an athlete to a
total stranger from the same country as the athlete and be accepted right away.
It is a good feeling to talk for ten minutes about an athlete at school,
place of work, or at a business meeting and become very close friends
afterwards, especially if the athlete has retired for over ten years.
Good sports televisions coverage can easily become a global networking
tool for all citizens of the world and act as a foundation for elimination
crimes of humanity such as racism, sexism, and unnecessary wars.
After all, it is the mindset of our leaders, which have being developed
from childhood that helps to dictate the culture, understanding, and foreign
relations between every nation.
As an American that once
lived in
Nigeria, I had the
privilege of watching the Summer Olympics in the 80’s and early 90’s on
television. For each event I watched, they showed every
nation march in, they introduced each athlete, talked about their countries and
hobbies, interview different athletes after the events, and the commentators
appeared to have being trained to be neutral. In the
USA, during the Summer
Olympics television coverage, it has become a tradition both by NBC and ESPN to
show commercials when some countries and marching in. I can
not remember the last time I saw
Nigeria march
into the Olympics since 1992.
Each Olympics, when it is
time for
Nigeria to march in, they
always remember to show a commercial. I wonder why it is not
done when the
United States or
England is marching in.
In track and swimming events, they only focus on the
USA and its main rivals,
if any. Nothing whatsoever is said or mentioned about the
rest of the athletes in the event. Even when the
United States does not win
the event, they only interview the
USA athletes.
In the FIFA soccer World Cup, the commentators are horrible.
It is so obvious that they are supporting the western European countries
or a European country against a non-European country.
This does not only take away from
the game, it also makes supporters of the
non-European teams offended and disrespected. I clearly
remember the 1994 FIFA World Cup after Brazil beat Italy in the penalty shoot
out, the commentator after supporting Italy and Roberto Baggio through out, then
decided that penalties was not a good way to know the best.
Can you imagine that nonsense? I am sure that they have been
using penalties before the commentator was even born. |
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The Political & Spiritual Purpose of the
Holy Land
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