In the Web of Tradition

We are all connected in society’s intricate web of relationships and configurations. Or are we caught in the web?

Until Colin Kaepernick broke with the National Anthem ritual at sports events, I never questioned this ceremony, never thought about.

Why is this done? No law or ordinance requires it. What function does this ceremony serve? What has it got to do with sports events? Surely we don’t have to remind ourselves of our nationality and love of country before every sports event. Board members don’t stand and listen to the National Anthem before a meeting.

As Kap illustrated by his protest for justice, this ceremony honors the country while neglecting its people. What if the people and players would stand and listen to Give Peace a Chance, Imagine, Stand by Me or any number of other songs? Imagine that! Peacefully.

Who decides these things? I like the idea of a short ceremony to kick off a game. It could be any performance or song. The home team could decide the opening ceremony. The spectators could sing along.

Varying the content of the opening ceremony would add interest and be commercially viable. Today the people stand obediently, mostly bored and impatient to get the game started, while giving consent to the government to maintain the status quo. That is not why they came to the event. They came to be entertained, not to be culturally indoctrinated in obedience to the highly unsportsmanlike behavior of the rulers.

Give peace a chance. Give songs and happiness a chance.
Give justice a chance.
Sit down!

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“Let us compete to create a society
where everyone crosses the finish line.”
Dartwill Aquila

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The West Bank is now the Judea-Samaria area.