before it's too late...
I've been thinking about the following topic since the night at VSO, but I have yet to write about it. It seems like a good day to discuss it...especially since it might all be gone by tomorrow night.
Haha, apologies for the deceiving lead-in...I've actually been thinking a lot about the Canucks craze around the city. Having witnessed the madness that was downtown on the night of Game 7, I couldn't help but reflect on the temporal nature of that kind of "public action". It was a sight to behold: people gathering around the streets, shouting, honking, making their affections for the Canucks known to the world (well, at least the rest of the city). But I couldn't help but think...how long will it last? That fuzzy feeling of excitement that people get from belonging to a greater community of hockey fans...how long will it last?
Another phenomenon on Vancouver streets are the flags that people put up on their cars - again, a public demonstration for the Canucks "cause" and a show of solidarity and support (even though many flag-owners are just band-wagoners). I couldn't help but think...is this all our city is able to rally around? Is the Stanley Cup one of the few ways in which we can momentarily "connect" with one another?
I believe the reason for this is...the Canucks "cause" is not a very controversial one. It doesn't demand effort from us, other than the loud cheering and game-watching...it's a passive form of solidarity. As members of a greater society (in this case, being Vancouverites), we long to feel like we belong, that we have a common goal and can relate and find fellowship....but we also like to do it comfortably, whether that's at GM Place, in our own homes, or in our cars.
"We are all Canucks"...it's the kind of phrase that just tugs at your heart (and I'm equally affected, mind you). But once you walk out of GM Place, what else do you see in this city of ours? What about the man who has spent his entire day binning, and as a result, have hands marred by blisters? The woman who consults the prick of a needle to find some solace? Or the child who has his childhood taken away from him because his primary concern is having his family fed by the time night dawns?
It is a daunting reminder - but the question I have is...if we are able to support our hockey team so passionately, then why are we unable to rally around these people who are so in need of our partnership with them? Why are we not choosing to stand in solidarity with them and welcome them in our community? How is it that the flags on our cars do not demand the right to food and shelter for all of God's children?
The Kingdom of the Heavens is now advancing
Invade my heart, invade this broken town
The Kingdom of the Heavens is a buried treasure
Will you sell everything you are for what you've found?
- Jon Foreman (Yet unnamed song)
posted by vespertine @ 10:49 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Well ... what more can I add to the eloquence, intelligence, depth, and profundity that has been displayed in this blog? For my whole time at RCAC, I tried to get this message across, that it was a waste of human capacity & social/communal capital to follow the Canuckleheads. As you can tell, I failed miserably. I only hope your present youth pastor and your friends will listen to your prophetic voice.
Leave it to PJ to miss the point entirely. Exam writing must have addled his brains.
Very thoughtful post. One of the reasons people rally around the Canucks is because when they do well, the feeling is euphoric for everyone, players, fans, community ... but the successes of individuals who are not noticed or who are ostracized do not cause that overwhelming euphoria. Maybe another reason is that Canuckmania is at its peak when the team works hard, but the dominant perception of the homeless (e.g.) is that they just don't work hard enough. And my final thought is that those who choose to spend money on tickets or merchandise view it as a reward for their own hard work - it's a splurge. Being a capitalist society, many of us are unable to view contributing to food and shelter for all as "a fair reward" for our own hard work. Know what I mean? It makes US feel good to cheer on the Canucks, it doesn't make us feel as good to stand up on behalf of the underprivileged.
I don't have any answers, just thoughts...
Thanks E for your "prophetic voice." You're right...the contrast of passion for our beloved Canucks, against the the seeming lack of passion for the homeless and the poor in our city does trouble me. So thank you for your insight.
As for 'pj'...what message were you trying to get across? That cheering for the Canucks is futile? Well, of course you failed. Our loyalty to the team is unwavering. We grow up in Vancouver, we cheer for Vancouver (not some American team across the lake/border). Sure, we're down 3-1 now...but by no means is our following of our team a waste of our "communal capital." We've gotten very used to the phrase, "Well, we've got next year." :D Through losing and winning, "we are all canucks." Argghh argghh!
And do not worry about "failing miserably" at getting the message across. What you revealed instead was not just your own failure (though obvious in itself), but a resiliency of ditching the hometown team. (Btw, just how did a Toronto boy end up cheering for the Chicken Wings? Very odd indeed.)
So, yes, we gladly release you of your efforts to persuade us to stop cheering for our Canucks. First, you're not very good at it. Second, you're much better at being being a fan of the leafs, or is that the wings...oh wait, but you're from Toronto. I'm confused! And finally, one word: Bertuzzi.
That is all.
I think it's also a matter of distraction and escapism. We do things (support sports teams, follow music and entertainment, pay attention to celebrity gossip, etc...) as a break from our school, work, and other "real" things of our lives. But thinking about and dealing with the reality of social issues does not entertain or provide such a break/escape.
as i was making my way over to my student's today, some random pedestrian gave me the finger (i won't tell you which), perhaps b/c i still had my canucks car flag up?
it's only been two days since the end of the season, and already there are barely any signs of "go canucks go" left on cars or awnings of shops. i guess for some people, not winning the cup is just not good enough.
Post a Comment
<< Home