It seems, as Romuald's commentary hints at, that each World Cup, or at least each national team, delivers a revealing narrative. For France we've gone from a Utopian United Colors of Benetton "unity through diversity" vision of France in 1998 to a now sobering reality check of a failed team–and a cluster of failed social policies that has resulted in untenable tensions in France's metropolitan banlieues-the outskirts of cities too often populated with outcasts marginalized in politics and contemporary life.
The tournament is of course far from over, and European teams-including England-may well do well in the knock-out round, but the parallels with the collapse or at least shaky state of the E.U.'s economy, and race|culture challenges in Holland, Germany, England–and the now mercifully departed France–are likely to be made.
The focus on political and social issues is arguably one of the best payoffs of the beautiful game's "greatest show on earth."
AZZURRI's funeral - in a country of political clowns, firemen, fireworks a tragedy becomes melodrama and then triumph.
ReplyDeleteViva l'Italia! Viva il Re!
Cesco - Brilliant. Viva Fellini!
ReplyDeleteIt seems, as Romuald's commentary hints at, that each World Cup, or at least each national team, delivers a revealing narrative. For France we've gone from a Utopian United Colors of Benetton "unity through diversity" vision of France in 1998 to a now sobering reality check of a failed team–and a cluster of failed social policies that has resulted in untenable tensions in France's metropolitan banlieues-the outskirts of cities too often populated with outcasts marginalized in politics and contemporary life.
The tournament is of course far from over, and European teams-including England-may well do well in the knock-out round, but the parallels with the collapse or at least shaky state of the E.U.'s economy, and race|culture challenges in Holland, Germany, England–and the now mercifully departed France–are likely to be made.
The focus on political and social issues is arguably one of the best payoffs of the beautiful game's "greatest show on earth."
Here's to the continuing conversation.