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Science Of Small Talk

The science of social behavior, one interaction at a time

by Sam Sommers

Sam Sommers, Ph.D., is a social psychologist at Tufts University. See full bio

July 6, 2008, Media

Comments on "Red, White, and Blue, but also Black and White"

Red, White, and Blue, but also Black and White

By Sam Sommers on July 6, 2008 in Science Of Small Talk

As the calendar turns to July, athletes from around the globe finish their preparations for next month's Summer Olympics, that quadrennial exercise in unabashed jingoism in which fans on every continent tune in to root in unqualified terms for their fellow countrymen and women. What to make, then, of the curious case of the 2004 U.S. men’s basketball team, the team that Americans loved to hate? Read More

You, sir, are a racist and a

Submitted by John Waterson on July 7, 2008 - 7:06am.

You, sir, are a racist and a knave.

Right On

Submitted by Shamrock on July 7, 2008 - 7:39am.

Compelling argument, my good friend. I enjoyed the post, very cleverly written, and look forward to more. Discuss amongst ourselves? Well, I have to admit I'm not an avid fan of the Olympics in any case, and have no idea of the background of what you've presented. But on the merits of what you've posted here, I would have to say that I concur. I agree. And, of course, blatant bigotry is the only form of racism that many White people are cognizant of, while most Black people consider blatant bigotry to be the most inconsiquential and unimportant form of racism because everyone hates an obvious jerk; it's the subtle snide wit and covert discrimination that sticks us (Blacks) most deeply. Because these are the people whom everyone loves.

Of course, it does not help that I'm a 22 year old who grew up in Confederate Flag pride country quite taken with a very All-American boy whose father is the nicest, sweetest old man and quite opposed to the idea of his beautiful boy even speaking to a beautiful Black girl. Ask anyone, the old man is a celebrated, beloved figure of personable charm, good looks, and public approval. Well, so what he's a bit of a racist. He's still a good person, right? (Well, so what I'm a bit browner than others. I'm still a good person, right?)

Not the way I remembered it.

Submitted by Joe T. on July 7, 2008 - 9:48am.

Yes, I am one who didn't care if this team lost. But no, I don't remember whether I noticed their complexion.

This team comported themselves terribly on and off the court, acting out with smug superiority. Several displayed their spoiled-childishness and enormous egos, taunted and flaunted the lesser teams who were just happy to be playing them. Anyone would be ashamed of this team, even if they were all your own children.

This example is too muddy to be any predictor of racial prejudice. That collection of players at that time were simply unlikable a**holes.

ever thought maybe its because they sucked hardcore?

Submitted by Prostate Cancer on July 8, 2008 - 6:15am.

when you pay these players in the tens of millions per year, you expect result. people hated the team because they sucked, not because of their race. i remember bode miller also sucked a big one at the winter olympics, he got hated on too. hey, he is white! another reason, people likes to root for the under dogs. the yankees are arguably america's team, but the majority of the nation roots against them..why? they are simply expected to win. people want to see some change, thus you see redsux fans and such. Same with the patriots and the cowboys. the racial makeup for these teams are more or less the same, but most people certainly didn't want to see bill bellecheat win against the giants, even with a historical record on the line. simply put, most people root against dynasties in sports, which is why you see people rooting against the US basketball team, the yankees, the patriots, the cowboys, and such.

plus, allen iverson got into so much offcourt drama, would you want your kids to idol someone who abused their wife, carried concealed weapon, and injest drugs?

Bode Miller

Submitted by Sam Sommers on July 8, 2008 - 6:50am.

The Bode Miller example is an interesting one because you're right, he did take a lot of flak for his performance. Of course, most of that flak resulted from a combination of 1) him not medaling and 2) his statements that suggested that he didn't care if won or not and that the Olympics weren't that big a deal. The basketball team did medal and beat some good teams in doing so. Sure, they fell short of the standard we'd expect of a U.S. basketball team by not winning it all, but they hardly "sucked" by any reasonable definition of the word. And did they play hard and care about winning? Here's one quote from Iverson after the loss to Puerto Rico, in which he sounds like the anti-Bode: "Iverson is also tired of hearing the excuses. 'We understood from the beginning that everyone was supposed to leave their egos at home,' he said. 'We're coming here to accomplish a team goal. There's no MVPs, no scoring champions or rebounding or assist champions, no individual awards. The only goal there is winning the gold medal.'" You're right that sports fans love the underdog. But not when they're playing against their own team! I'm A Yankees fan and I understand why people root against them. But I don't! That's my team! Did you root against the Dream Team in 1992? I doubt it, and has there ever been a bigger non-underdog than that team? No, it was our team as Americans and we all rooted for them, despite the fact that the "smug superiority" that Joe T. mentions was just as prevalent if not more so on that team. Who was it that said the following: "Other teams have been sending their pros for years. Now they can take their whipping and go home." Iverson? Carmelo Anthony? No, it was Charles Barkley in 1992. Did that lead you to root against the U.S. in 1992, Joe T.? I'd maintain that a lot of the non-racial issues that posters have raised are not unique characteristics to this 2004 team, despite the fact that this backlash was pretty unique. These guys didn't tank it-- they played hard even though the powers-that-be put together an ill-fitting roster without enough ballhandlers and perimeter shooters. But you'd never know that from the fan reaction.