A WOLVERINE IN BUCKEYE COUNTRY

In 1981, my wife and I moved to Ohio.  Up until that time, we had lived most of our lives in Michigan.  Unless you live on another planet you are probably very aware of the rivalry between the University of Michigan, and Ohio State University.

I don’t mind rivalry, but at times I’ve been on the wrong side of Buckeye loyalty.  No doubt, there have been Buckeye fans that have had less than pleasant experiences with Wolverine fans. 

Sadly, the behavior is not limited to verbal abuse, and harmless pranks.  When the two teams meet even the cheerleaders and band members need protection of law enforcement, not to mention the players themselves.  The over-the-top behavior is anything but limited to the Ann Arbor and Columbus campuses.  In 2010, a Penn State fan was assaulted by other Penn State fans when he wore Michigan colors to a Halloween party.  A so-called fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide, took it upon himself to poison trees on the Auburn campus.  Where does all of this fit into the concept of sportsmanship?

We live in an era when saying and doing whatever we please, in whatever venue we please, however we please is supposed to be acceptable.  Carry that thought process over into the political realm, and it’s no wonder Washington DC is in gridlock.

A CNN opinion article caught my eye a couple of days ago.  Donna Brazile wrote about how she decided to respond positively to a request from President George W. Bush that they work together, with civility, on post-Katrina fixes.  The results were amazing.

Civility is defined as “formal politeness in behavior or speech”.  I wonder what we could accomplish, if all of us, from each political party decided to practice civility.  How about civility at football games?  Could band members, cheerleaders, football players, and fans enjoy a game without fear?

Civility requires self-restraint vs. “going for the jugular”.  It flies in the face of our self-centered, me first society.  Civility does not require a lack of passion concerning our favorite football teams or political views.  It does require assigning value as a person to those who hold a differing view.

Why have I spent several blogs to talk about communicating?  It’s what matters to me, and will be evident in my books.

Harriet Beecher Stowe woke-up America to the evils of slavery in Uncle Tom’s Cabin.  While it enforced some stereotypes, it was a landmark book for its time, the number one novel of the 19^th century.  She did more with one book than all the fire-brand speeches of its day.  Maybe something will strike a chord in one of my books and change something for someone.  I can only hope.