Sunday, February 4, 2018

Oh, Super


Is it just me, or is it troubling to anyone else that there is an entire nation where "everyone" is doing the same activity at the same time? Perhaps it is something in the deepest roots of my Scottish heritage which demands that I swim against the currentand swim all the more determined, the lonelier it gets to head counter to the downstream flow.

Perhaps it is that the Super Bowl embodies the antithesis of the spirit of diversity in the fact that it's assumed that "everybody" will be watching the gamea nationally-dispersed tribe, unified solely by virtue of their electronic connection to a stadium in chilly Minnesota. Dare anyone say they are doing anything else at that magic hour? I wonder how much company I'll have, should I tap into any research website for family history. Or maybe how much of a crowd I'd encounter if I chose, instead, to shop at the mall at that precise time.

Envisioning a nation of so many million people, allsupposedlydoing the same thing at the same time, got me thinking. It might seem like a good thing that everyone could find something to unite overwhile, oddly, in the subtext, fighting it out in a zero sum game like footballbut I'm reconsidering that stance. Yes, it's wearying to now live in a place where, say, a political opinion not in line with the majority can earn hate mail, and unifying ourselves as a peopleno matter how inconsequential the topicmight seem to be a refreshing relief. But I'm realizing something else as I consider this sidetrack from my usual topic: it's in a multitude of perspectives that we blend a balanced view of how things ought to be. The tribe mentality may foster a spirit detrimental to our advancement as a forward-thinking society.

When I look over the family history discoveries of those I knowin my local genealogical society, in the classes I attend on a regional or national basis, and even among the readers here at A Family Tapestry—I can easily see we have such varied backgrounds. Our diverse heritage as a nation, gathered from the four "corners" of the earth, may seem to be a patchwork, a crazy quilt, or a haphazard "accident" of history, but in reality, those many different strands of heritage combine to strengthen us as a people. It's in our coming together while simultaneously each being different that we gain the strength we need to face our future.

I've learned long ago that it's okay to be the one solitary soul not glued to the set when it's time for the Big Game. It's also no crime to hold an opinion different than others, to have interests divergent from the crowd, or come from a place far from the home of all the other neighbors. It's in our differencesonce we reconcile ourselves to finding a way to weave them into the fabric of our societythat we can build a stronger foundation for our next generation.

10 comments:

  1. Especially like your final paragraph.
    I will be aware of the game but watching; doubtful.
    One evening last week none of the three contestants on Jeopardy could answer any question in the category Football. Alec got a 'kick' out of it. (pardon the pun)

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    1. How funny, Gayle! I do wonder how much company we have in our lack of interest in the national pastime.

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  2. I saw that Jeopardy episode, too. I couldn't answer. I usually quilt while the super bowl is on. But after some hand issues a few years ago , I use the time to organize my pinterest boards while waiting for commercials.

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    1. It does turn out to be time to do something else while waiting--although I'm sorry to hear you aren't able to quilt as much, Miss Merry.

      Since the weather was so unseasonably warm today, I decided to venture out and see how empty my favorite coffee shop was while the game was starting up. Surprisingly--although maybe not, considering what people are saying here--it wasn't as quiet as I expected. And I got to enjoy reading a book while soaking up some sunshine, too.

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  3. The sewing community schedules fabric sales and classes for Super Bowl weekend. Maybe the genealogy community should do likewise and schedule one- or two-day local conferences and workshops.

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  4. Never have watched the Super Bowl, never will. You're not alone, Jacqi. I will be working on my 52 Ancestors post...

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    1. And that you have, I see! Glad to know we're not alone in our quest to keep swimming upstream.

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    1. A wise use of your time...considering all you and Far Guy have been through lately. I hope both of you are feeling much better now!

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