Editorial by Jim Windle
The thrill of victory and agony of defeat brings out both the best and the worst in people, be they players, fans or parent. We are so easily lured into a trancelike state where the team or sports star we follow can becomes gods or bums, depending on the outcome of a specific match or a season.
At many high profile sporting events you will see university professors, doctors, lawyers, corporate leaders and Joe Schmo sitting beside each other with painted faces, goofy hats, all growling like animals and screaming like banshees, without shame or judgment.
“Oh, but it’s only a game.” Anyone who doesn’t understand that games are games, but sports are something of a different kind, will probably not understand any of this. But then, they wouldn’t be reading this section of the paper in the first place, right?
The way I see it, a few guys or gals shooting hoops is to the sport of basketball what driving into work is to NASCAR. At its very basic level they are quite similar, but at the competitive level, emotions and national or civic pride play a very big role.
It’s been my observation throughout the years that sport, in this sense of the word, is just the most benign form of warfare. Every culture that ever existed has used physical competition and the evaluation of military prowess to get and stay in shape and always be battle ready.
This is no more evident than with the historical and spiritual beginnings of the Creator’s Game of lacrosse. Although at one time it was a much more violent sport than it is today, when I watch a lacrosse game I can see the teamwork, the individual skill and accuracy, the speed, the courage, determination and the toughness required to win on the battlefield or in the arena.
It follows that, in the heat of battle, one will use whatever weapon is available to vanquish their foe in whatever way they can. Tempers flair, trash talking and name calling is not far behind in any sporting venue. That’s why I am always offended, but never surprised, at racist jargon on the field of battle. It’s about us and them, and them ain’t gonna win over us, no-how, no-way (I’ve also noticed how much easier it is to Jock-talk with a southern accent).
Believe me, I am not condoning any kind of racism in any circumstance, but I’m old enough to remember my father, who served along with his brothers in the Canadian military. In times of war, it is an integral part of a soldier’s training to dehumanize the enemy. It just makes it easier to kill someone you see as different or less worthy than ourselves.
As a result, growing up in the home of an ex-military man was where I was taught what my dad was taught. I had an equally inappropriate epithet for every race on earth, except of course white Canadians. I’ve since learned to weed these words out of my vocabulary, for the most part.
Back to lacrosse. This coming Mann Cup series will be benign warfare. This is the highest level of amateur lacrosse there is in the world pitting the best of the East against the best of the West. The pinnacle of the sport, in my estimation and bragging rights are up for grabs.
Although a chippy, physical matchup is my personal preference when it comes to the sports I watch, I draw the line when racist slurs are batted around in the bleachers or between players.
This year the Maple Ridge B.C. Burrards come into “hostile” Six Nations territory representing their community, their province, and Canada. The Pro-fit Chiefs will be defending the pride of the game, and the community right here on home turf.
Try to tell either one of these teams, “relax, it’s just a game,” and see what it gets ya. This is so much more than a game. Be at the ILA this week to support your Pro-fit Chiefs, but watch the tongue, and try to be tolerant of others who may have a slip of the tongue. And remember, this isn’t actually war.
