Nationalism at its Worst

After watching a soccer related Blogginghead video about the World Cup, I had to agree some with the perceptions both Bryan Curtis and Eve Fairbanks shared. The World Cup was a time for Americans to feel safer in relation to political nationalism and support teams, providing relief. It is also understandable that the sporting event can be seen as the hangover for the 2008 election, and a chance to reengage with the world. At times, however, these times to come together can be motivated by vengeance and rage affecting conflicts related to past trials and tribulations with other countries.

Rather than a solace, it as an outlet of anger. You would think that it was a time for people to come together and cheer on their team. Alongside this, think of what motivates them. I don’t think that we purposely fueled by negativity when we come together. Think of this theory not from the point of view of an American, but simply as a human. We were influenced from when we were in middle school learning about the countries around us, taught who was the enemy. For example, there is a massive amount of animosity towards Germany. Growing up we learned how Germany invaded Belgium, Luxembourg, and France in World War I. Soon after we were educated in World War II, when Germany invaded Poland. After both of these wars, countries came together in celebration that the war was over and that Germany had been defeated. That in itself was nationalism. What followed into modern day is not.

In addition to growing up with these facts, Germany starting wars, we grow up mocking them. The Nazi symbol, used steadily throughout the times of war, is still associated with Germany, along with Hitler and communism. We are not only fueled by rage and detest of the past, but controlled by the stereotypes created to these in the present. During the World Cup, when any country both competing against Germany and involved in the World Wars, it is considered a war between old rivals.

But they are not completely at fault for considering them as this. When Germany played England, Germany was chanted “Three world cups” while England retorted “Two world wars!” Again, we are human. But if anything, we’re immature childlike human beings.

Once again, we are all human. We love and we hate. We also hold grudges. It is not our fault how history played out (no pun intended). There are people that have a positive kind of nationalism. There are people that show pride in their country and focus more on the present than the past. They cheer for their country simply because they love that country and boo for the opposing team, not because of spite, but because of their love of the game. Whether or not their team loses, they still flood the streets and cheer in fountains. Hopefully someday more people will obtain this kind of nationalism.