In the wake of the loss to Toledo, there are three things I’ve read on the MGoBoard and the Diaries that I find offensive.  The first is some infusion of political rhetoric into the boards.  It is the political season and emotions are running high about both the presidential race and Michigan football.  I’m sure this is especially true if you perceive both to be headed in the wrong direction.  That said, posting about politics only adds to our collective pain and creates unnecessary infighting.    

 

            The second is the knee jerk stereotypical backlash against other regions of this country as backwards backwaters.  Outside of West Virginia, this is not a fair characterization.  After spending my first 24 years in the great state of Michigan, I have spent a decade an a half in the South.  I’m so far in the South that I was able to go in my front yard and hear the final score of the upset of Vanderbilt announced on the stadium PA system yesterday. The Southern reputation is largely a holdover to times past and currently found mainly in isolated rural pockets and some bigoted households.  The South is, on the whole, more integrated than the North.  This has led to increased tolerance.

 

            The third thing that irks me is the calls for RichRod’s head.  The way I see it, this season is about building the montage that will be used as a contrast to the future glory of the program.  My wife attended a university with a decent football tradition (something about rising water and elephants) which underwent a recent coaching change.  Last year, that team went 6-6 (3-5 in the conference).  After a late season loss to Louisiana-Monroe, her friends were calling for the coach’s head.  That team is performing better this year.  I see this as analogous to Michigan’s situation.  These are/will be two programs on the rise.

 

            Michigan fans have been spoiled by sustained success.  We have not had a significant transition since LBJ was President.  Transition is hard and takes time.  This is a time for patience and cohesion, not division and derision.

 

            I’m Sammylittle and I approve this message.