[sumo] Asashoryu and Soccer

[Kuramarujo]

On Thu, 2007-08-02 at 01:30 +0900, John Racine wrote:

> > I can't disagree more with the notion that Asashoryu should be a 
> > humble employee.
> 
> You're clearly not Japanese. 

	This right here is the whole crux of the "debate."  There are many
different and unique cultures in this world.  And they, for the most
part, should be preserved as much as possible.  But with the advent of
global communications in the 20th century, cultures and histories have
been flowing and melding together (for better or for worse depending on
your point-of-view).

	So what does this all have to do with the price of tea in China?
Cultural bigotry.  I once read somewhere a definition of what it means
to be Japanese.  Either you are or you aren't, and if you aren't you
will never understand.

	Now, to be clear, I am not singling out Japan for this.  I've lived in
other countries where the same attitude prevails.  But that does not
make it right!  There is a line between preserving your culture and
demanding it.

	Asashoryu did wrong and should be chastised for it.  But to justify it
in the way the above quoted exchange is an affront to the culture of
humanity.

	I'm starting to get to wrapped up in this myself.  It's over and done
so we should probably just move on.  Agree or disagree with the
punishment is immaterial.  Let's start looking forward to Aki & Kyushu
and speculating what will happen based on the absence of Y1E and the
addition of a 4th Ozeki.

	And now I am going to logoff.  I'm late for dinner and way late for my
meds (you can't imagine how much it hurts sitting here typing this).

Kuramarujo

P.S.  This tirade is not directed towards Scott or John.  I just use
their exchange as a basis for my statements, which are treated as
anonymous for the purpose of my comments.

-- 
Joe "Kuramarujo" Klemmer
http://www.webtrek.com/joe/sumo