USA! USA! USA! Olympics- 4.3

Hey’all,

So the Olympics are over. Sorry to start this off on a somber note, but it is something that I feel needs to be discussed; and it is something that, right now, is especially near and dear to my heart. **Ahhh, I started writing this over week ago, sorry for the delay, and sadly this panned out sadly exactly as I feared

I don’t know where to start. What does it mean to be proud of your country? I know the first time I went around Germany it was also something they (at least the youth) honestly struggled with; how could they be proud to be German after what happened? It was a cool conversation to have, me often citing examples of how every country was fucking terrible at different points throughout history: slavery, religious wars, genocides, almost every country being terrible to native populations. I would always say, I’m proud to be American.

The whole time I've been in Europe, the past 12 years (4 winter olympics), I always joked about being American. ‘Yea we invented freedom…you’re welcome,’  or ‘Woohoo, pistols, freedom, beer!’ When people asked why I moved I would say, ‘the grass is greener right, but I still love America.’ Well, for the first time in my life I have to say…I genuinely don’t know. For the first time in my life I get a bit uncomfortable of the simple question: where are you from? 

So I guess that’s where we should start: nationalism vs. patriotism. Patriotism is pride, affection, and constructive love for one’s country; whereas nationalism is aggressive ideology prioritizing one’s nation above all others, frequently asserting superiority, exclusivity, and fostering conflict with other nations. It’s ok to be patriotic, and it is something that I needed to remind myself of; even with the recent events that are transpiring in America that might make that hard, for however you feel about whose at fault. I am proud to be American. We should all be proud to be where we are from. And it is ok for us all to have different views on how we think our countries should be run… and that still makes us all patriots. 

It is that divisive nature of nationalism that I find the most uncomfortable and disturbing. That us vs them mentality. The problem arises, at least for me, with regard to the olympics and rooting for my country, of knowing how some of the athletes and teams victories will be used in this manner. I know it is important to separate the athletes from this, they are their own individuals; but in some instances they can’t help being caught up in the whirlwind and it all gets blended together. 

I know many athletes, at least from my American perspective, did speak up about the current events/situation in the USA. Not even giving a side but stating how they felt representing

America with all its internal turmoil. Part of me feels encouraged because they expressed their feelings and part of me feels sad that they felt the need to. They shouldn’t have to worry about any of this. They should just celebrate their victories and enjoy the experience. 

Which brings me to my favorite sport, ice hockey. Since I was a kid I often debated whether I would rather win the Stanley Cup or a gold medal for the USA. It was a tough question. We hadn’t won since 1980 (or my entire life). Sure it's a bit easier for a Canadian, they win all the time! Ask Henrik Lundqvist; I wonder what he would say, he won a gold for Sweden in 2006 but never got a cup. Hašek got both in the end. 

I became a bit embarrassed of the situation and would feel weird if I was jumping around like a lunatic shouting, ‘USA, USA…freedom, you’re welcome!’. I also knew that if the US men won then our current regime would try to use them and the situation to gain ‘positive press’ and to show ‘US dominance’.  **Needless to say, I was, sadly, right, remember my reference earlier. And because of this I genuinely didn’t know if I wanted the US to win or lose. I was at war with myself. It’s something I desperately dreamed of my whole life. I think part of me selfishly wanted the US to lose because I knew I would feel uncomfortable celebrating how I wanted to celebrate (maybe fostered a bit by the fact that I am in Europe), and I would feel I would have to censor or mute myself. AND BELIEVE ME THERE WAS NO WAY I WANTED THIS! Of course I wanted the US to win!

So I was torn. 

In the end I talked myself into the game. How could I not… or at least I tried to. But when the puck drops, it drops, and the heart wants what it wants. Luckily, for me, I ended up not wanting anyone to win, but I did want to enjoy a great game; and let me tell you this game did not disappoint. It was a bit weird not fully wanting the US to win (didn’t really help with the American crowd I was with) and I couldn’t fully come around on Canada (I just felt a bit sad for them, but they made a good hang because of their more hockey knowledge). For the third period I ended up watching in a corner by myself, watching some riveting hockey. In the end I got to witness and enjoy a hell of a game, and that’s all that matters…+ USA! USA! USA!

Hahaha, sorry, I had to. I’m not going to bore you with a recap of the game, plenty of other people have. I just hoped you watched or will rewatch. It was a hell of a game, chances for both sides, overtime… I’m glad I got to see it. I’m glad that I got to see the USA win. We finally beat Canada!! I never would have dreamed it.  

**Note- both teams as well! I spent way too much time on the men, and everything I said about the men, I pretty much felt the opposite for the woman. I also didn’t know if I wanted them to win, but as soon as the puck dropped and Canada went up 1-0; I was pissed, I was really fucking pissed.

That being said, the Olympics are over. It was eventful and fucking awesome as always; and I am sad it’s over. Congrats to all the athletes, apologies for being a bit too long winded and not leaving myself enough time to highlight everything. I guess we will all just have to wait another four years,

Until the next time, you stay classy…world,

-SPICY