<
https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/on-reflection/how-the-mindset-of-rural-tribalism-has-held-me-back-my-entire-life-5407c9d73969>
'Back when I was in high school, I thought it would be funny to show up for the
homecoming celebrations while wearing the jersey of the visiting team. This is
the kind of reckless social experiment that most people can't even imagine. I
mean, who
does that?
I've always had an issue with conformity, and as a teen I harbored skepticism
over the concept of "school spirit." We'd already been subjected to
announcement after announcement encouraging us to dress in the red and black
colors of our football team.
Classes were canceled so we could go to the gym to scream and bang on drums.
Girls danced around in uniforms that otherwise would have been a violation of
the dress code.
During homecoming week, the normally rigid rural values of quiet obedience and
chastity were suspended in order to fan the flames of fierce tribalistic
loyalty.
We were encouraged to despise the team from the town just twenty minutes away.
Our town was better. That was all that mattered.
Kids I knew who absolutely hated school were caught up in the spell. It was odd
to see them stand in the bleachers, howling the school song until their faces
turned red. I found it disquieting, like we were all being forced to
participate in a lie.
"What? Would you rather be in
class?" one of them said.'
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
