I was inspired to write this diary by an article on ESPN's website of all places. That article is
Here
In the article, Bill Curry, ex-College football head coach, discusses rivalries, specifically the Michigan-Ohio State game on Saturday (Eventhough everbody knows the big story is that PSU is going to roll over MSU for the Big Ten Championship after starting the season unranked...) and how they reflect the tribalism that infects human nature.
After a week of religious stife within
our tribe, I thought that football was a powerful way to examine our human need to divide into 'us' and 'them.'
Here at DailyKos, we behave very much like a tribe. We mock and condemn those of other tribes, especially ones that are our 'rivals.' We have our own rituals and conventions as many new members have had to learn as they were inducted into the tribe. We even condemn members of our own tribe for not being fervent enough in their defense of our tribe or the attack on others.
I'm not a troll, and I'm not criticizing our behavior. I'm merely saying that we should be concious of our actions. I have always believed that self reflection and self awareness are the most important actions one can take to become a force for good in the world.
Here on DailyKos, we have seen in the last few days people that agree on many, if not most things, instantly divide against each other over which religious 'tribe' they claim membership in. The international effects of tribalism are numerous. All of you are aware of the devastation these tribal conflicts have caused in the past and are causing right now as you sit and read my diary. We must be vigilant that we do not allow this part of human nature (and it is human nature) to divide us and work hard to combat its destructive nature around the world.