Hail! Why do we do this?

Recently I've been questioning why I should be a fan of Michigan football, whatsoever.  Why is it that I happen to cheer for the yellow and blue team with pretty helmets rather than any of the other teams with, admittedly, less attractive helmets?  After reading this single question, most people are already forming judgments and opinions, beginning to formulate mental arguments for and against this single element of doubt that has just been planted in their mind.  Some of you may even be creating negative attitudes toward the author, creating judgments, criticisms, diagnoses, and possibly even expressions of anger.  It is in these circumstances that I would like to remind the reader that I am fundamentally no different than you.

Considering the current state of disrepair that the Michigan football program is in, this provides a perfect opportunity for self-reflection.  What is it that we are identifying with?  I am saying this now because the current apathy of the fan-base warrants it.

When you sing "The Victors," have you ever actually listened to the lyrics?  Read them without the melody.

Now for a cheer they are here, triumphant! Here they come with banners flying, In stalwart step they're nighing. With shouts of victory crying, We hurrah, hurrah, we greet you now, Hail! Far we their praises sing. For the glory and fame they've brought us. Loud let the bells them ring, for here they come with banners flying. Far we their praises tell. For the glory and fame they've brought us. Loud let the bells them ring. For here they come with banners flying. Here they come, Hurrah! Hail! to the victors valiant Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes Hail! Hail! to Michigan The leaders and best! Hail! to the victors valiant Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes Hail! Hail! to Michigan, The champions of the West! We cheer them again We cheer and cheer again For Michigan, we cheer for Michigan We cheer with might and main We cheer, cheer, cheer With might and main we cheer! Hail! to the victors valiant Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes Hail! Hail! to Michigan, The champions of the West!

Enjoy the comparison: http://nazipropagandayo.weebly.com/lyrics-and-songs-of-nazi-germany.html

I can feel the gears turning in your mind.  I can sense the disdain.  You think I am an idiot?  Right now you are thinking about how this comparison isn't exclusive to Michigan football.  This type of dogmatic, disciplined, brainwashed, way of thinking is comprable to every other football program out there.  I do not disagree, and I would encourage every other person, who happens to be a "fan" of a football team other than Michgian, to consider themselves equal in this reflection.

Are you cheering for a group of young adults who are working extremely dilligently to achieve a unified goal?  Of course that is a worhtwile endeavor to emotionally invest one's self into!  In no way would I argue against that point.  However, this begs the question, how Michigan, in particular, is distinct from any other football team in that regard?

So why is it that we are fans?  Why do we care?  I understand that many of you are graduates and so feel the need to align one's self with the team that is affiliated with the university you attended.  I am right there with you.  I am also a Michigan allumn.  However, I did not play for this team.  And even if I did, the VAST majority of individuals that I connected with are no longer affiliated with the program in any meaningful way.  Fundamentally, the Michigan footballl team is a group kids, and coaches, who are trying to defeat their competition in a grueling, exhausting, and painful game, a game that millions of people are interested in.

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society" ~Jiddu Krishnamurti

I am not here to suggest that you should become a fan of a different football team.  I am here to question whether it is justified to be a fan of any football team, whatsoever.  Why is it that you feel the need to identify yourselves at all, in sports, politics, work,  and even family?

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn '‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’" ~Jesus

I want you to begin to question why you identify  at all.