Am I selling my soul to the devil by not really ever acknowledging that the World Cup that I look forward to so much every four years is taking place in a country who's president and government can be accused of so many abuses, acts of discrimination and worse against it's own citizens that I find reprehensible. Yet I celebrate the World Cup completely separate from the environment it's being played in. Is it wrong to say that the football has nothing to do with the politics? Probably. Or is it wrong to say we need the joy of the football to forget the suffering of so many, that the majority of Russians have nothing to do with what is wrong with Russia and they should be allowed to celebrate this wonderful event?
I don't know. It should be hard to feel full excitement when bombs are falling in Syria, a silent un-reported war is going on in Ukraine and a Russian journalist feels so strongly about the need to uncover the connection between the Russian government and underworld that he agrees to be part of a fake murder plot that he doesn't even tell his poor wife about it.
But I admit, I am weak. I am looking forward to the World Cup. Football has been a good distraction for everything in my life. Not good, it can be argued but it's what I see life through: the emotions on the pitch and the stands reflecting and acting as a comfort and accompaniment to so many real life emotions.
No comments:
Post a Comment