CSotD: South Africa kicks off
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It's not surprising that South Africa is excited over hosting the World Cup, but the emotional impact of having the Cup there is a bit overwhelming. Today's Madam & Eve doesn't even try to make a gag and simply celebrates South Africa's emergence into the modern community of nations that was particularly visible in its exclusion from international sports during the apartheid era.
Come to think of it, if you wanted a laugh, that came when Archbishop Desmond Tutu strode out onto the stage of the kickoff concert in full fanware — Bafana Bafana jersey, hat and scarf — to the delighted shouts of the crowd.
This story, alas, seems to be slipping past us in the States.
One of the benefits of working at home was that I could stream the concert or watch it on ESPN while I worked, but I found most of the acts too engaging to get much done, especially the Taureg group, Tinariwen. If you read the press accounts, however, all you'll learn is that the concert featured Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas and Shakira. none of whom created the excitement the other acts stirred up. Our media seem intent on reflecting what we already know rather than bringing us new things.
Meanwhile, on Facebook, South African cartoonist Jeremy Nell wrote: "It would be really great if international cartoonists did a few World Cup cartoons. I am sure Obama and BP won't mind if they were ignored for a few days. After all, the world's largest sporting event is being hosted for the first time in (South) Africa."
To which I responded: "Careful what you wish for. In the US, it would be cartoons about how 'everyone' hates soccer — it's part of the newspaper industry's cunning plan to avoid attracting anyone under 40."
I'd love to be wrong. I'd love to find that some in the US media realize that this year's World Cup is about more than soccer and Alicia Keys. But it would come as a surprise.
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