Ep. 59: National Pastimes - Mindless Militarism in American Sports
Added 2018-12-05 16:13:12 +0000 UTCF-22 flyovers, 160-foot flags draped across the playing field, full color guards, camouflage uniforms, The Star-Spangled Banner, God Bless America, Support The Troops Nights, special perks for vets.
What is the origin of the runaway military worship so ingrained in our sports? How did our professional baseball and football leagues become so infused to our military state and what can fans of these sports do to deconstruct and pushback against the forces of jingoism and military fetishizing?
We are joined by Professor Robert Elias.
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Guest
Robert Elias is dean’s scholar and professor of politics and legal studies at the University of San Francisco. He is the author of numerous books, including The Empire Strikes Out: How Baseball Sold U.S. Foreign Policy and Promoted the American Way Abroad and Baseball and the American Dream: Race, Class, Gender and the National Pastime. He was previously a researcher with the International Institute of Human Rights, the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Oxfam America, the Institute for Defense & Disarmament Studies, and the Vera Institute of Justice. He is currently a visiting professor at McGill University.
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Show Notes
Peter Dreier & Robert Elias | July 11, 2017 | Jacobin
Pandering to the Military Won’t Save NFL Players From Racist Backlash
Dave Zirin | November 13, 2017 | The Nation
How the NFL sold patriotism to the U.S. military for millions
Melanie Schmitz | September 25, 2017 | ThinkProgress
Here's How Standing for the National Anthem Became Part of U.S. Sports Tradition
Olivia B. Waxman | September 25, 2017 | TIME
A brief history of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ being played at games and getting no respect
Fred Barbash & Travis M. Andrews | August 30, 2016 | The Washington Post
When Whitney Hit The High Note
Danyel Smith | February 1, 2016 | ESPN
U.S. Citizens Paid $6.8 Million to Pro Sports Teams for Military Ads
Sean Newell | November 4, 2015 | Vice Sports
Patriot Games: Military Displays at Professional Football Games
Robert Gudmestad | February 2, 2015 | Sport In American History
Gregg Easterbrook | October 2013 | The Atlantic
Robert Weintraub | April 2, 2013 | Slate
Daniel Barbarisi | May 3, 2011 | The Wall Street Journal
Michael Oriard | November 17, 2011 | Slate
Yankees Settle ‘God Bless America’ Case, Won’t Restrict Spectators' Movements During Song
July 7, 2009 | NYCLU
At the Stadium, Stay Put When the Music Plays
Michael S. Schmidt | May 10, 2007 | The New York Times
Once Again, It's the Star-Spangled Super Bowl
Ira Berkow | January 27, 1991 | The New York Times
Whitney Houston Sings The National Anthem at Super Bowl XXV [video]
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Transcript
For a full transcript of this episode, go here.
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