ENC 1145
"Autumn Begins in Martins Ferry, Ohio" and "Three-Man Weave" both have many themes that seem to be very similar. The first and most obvious theme seems to be one of racism and discrimination. The three man weave portrays attitudes of lessened expectations for native americans in the basketball world at the time. The five man team of natives was never given a shot until they actually proved their naysayers wrong. On the other hand, the short poem touches on racism as well but in a more generalized way. It talks about families of minorities hoping and waiting for success but never actually speaks of them achieving it.
Both readings have a related feeling of inspiration and a sense of rejuvenation by sports. It brings cultures together to celebrate their accomplishments as a whole and individually. These memories can make places for people in history and make their legacy last far beyond their years on this Earth. One great game can immortalized an average man in sports history. Sports even have the power to make people nostalgic. Remembering things because they played such a large role in your life can bring back some strong emotions. Another thing that sport provides in cultural terms is a common ground. It gives the white man, the black man, the yellow man and every color in between the chance to be on an even playing ground and display what they can do.
Both of these pieces of writing can definitely help me formulate an idea for my paper. From the poem, I would probably use the idea of an over-emphasis on sports and them taking over family's and lives. In my life, sports have been huge, especially to my grandfather. Ever since I could walk, he has wanted me to be a golf phenom. This feeling was probably amplified, seeing as how he never had a son and I was his only grandson. He would come watch me play in golf tournaments and it pained him to see me play poorly. I would even go as far as saying that he cared about me winning more than I did.
"Three-Man Weave" will help me write about the struggle of not always being the best in my sport but never giving up. Throughout my entire golf career, I have always struggled with not being the best. It is torturous, but in the end it is beneficial. Having to practice hour on end every day of your life to try and keep up with the elite gives you a sense of fulfillment and pride. Just like anything in life, seeing your hard work pay off is reward in itself, but that one moment when you finally win as the underdog is a feeling that you can't even begin to explain.
"Three-Man Weave" will help me write about the struggle of not always being the best in my sport but never giving up. Throughout my entire golf career, I have always struggled with not being the best. It is torturous, but in the end it is beneficial. Having to practice hour on end every day of your life to try and keep up with the elite gives you a sense of fulfillment and pride. Just like anything in life, seeing your hard work pay off is reward in itself, but that one moment when you finally win as the underdog is a feeling that you can't even begin to explain.
I really liked the comment on how sports give each race and type of person an even playing field and the opportunity to succeed. I grasped the racism in both articles but did not even think about how sports can help different cultures combine and form as one. For my paper I plan on using that idea on how introducing and playing sports my whole life has helped me develop a wide range of social aspect in my life.
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