The oddness of American culture is exposed by our interaction with sporting. Sports teams around the country are celebrated… for perfect winning seasons. Then “we” won with “our” team and it shows the superiority of “us” and “our city” or “our school.” Losing teams in football, baseball, basketball quickly become “them,” and “they” are ignored as not reflecting “our” good city or school. As the Detroit Lions face the planting of a perfect 0-16 season in the firm cement of history this Sunday, how will we react? Will fans turn their faces? Counteract the alienating amnesia of loss by noting the negative exception:
… then reassure the aspirational part of your soul with this mathematical truth: there is no way to go but up.
