Sports Reflecting A National Mood Analysis

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Recommended: Racism in American sport

Joe Vostal

US History II
28th February 2017
Sports Reflecting a National Mood Sports in America tend to bring joy and cheer to people. Many people are drawn to sports as a distraction for the political and social turbulence that surrounds them. However, what most people don't realize is that sports can reflect a national mood within our country. In history, there are many instances where this occurs. Specifically, on June 19th 1936, the Joe Louis and Max Schmeling fight is a reflection of America vs Germany prior to World War II, and Brian Piccolo’s friendship with Gale Sayers during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s, demonstrates that blacks and whites can get along in harmony. In January 1933 Adolf Hitler was named Chancellor …show more content…

During the 1960s the civil rights movement was taking place, segregation and discrimination of blacks was the main issue. There were separate water fountains, bathrooms, stores, and buses for whites and blacks. While the whites had the more higher quality goods and services, the blacks were given the worst. Buses that would constantly break down, dirty water from water fountains and dirty bathrooms. On top of the bad living conditions, blacks had to go through constant interrogation and crude remarks towards their skin color. Freedom marches started to emerge from the blacks for justice and equality. Through all the marches and rebellions there's a rare relationship between Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. Both were running backs on the Chicago Bears during the 1960’s and had a strong friendship, while Piccolo was white and Sayers was black, they got a lot of backlash about them being …show more content…

Many people are drawn to sports as a distraction for the political and social turbulence that surrounds them. However, what most people don't realize is that sports can reflect a national mood within our country. The fight between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling is a foreshadowing of America versus Germany in World War Two, is one example. Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers friendship during the 1960’s, when the civil rights movement was occurring is a second example. As time goes on more and more events will occur in the world that are important to history. History is bound to repeat itself, the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead to Cleveland in the Finals in June 2016, Cleveland then blew a 3-1 lead to Chicago in the World Series in November 2016. Who will Chicago blow a 3-1 lead to? Sporting events aren't just a game to watch or bet on, they can give insight to what's going on in the world today, and what could happen in the near

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