Everywhere You Look...
It's not too hard to find travesties of justice. Really, when you think about it, all you need to do is open your eyes and have a look around.
If you live, work or play in any city, you will see homeless people huddled under even the tiniest of shelters with hopes of keeping them dry. Drive through that cities nicest parts and notice a predominantly (if not entirely) white community. Then drive through the cities roughest parts and see the exact opposite.
Sometimes the injustices are in seemingly unimportant areas. Like sports. Women's figure skating, in particular.
Emily Hughes skated hard over the past week. She earned a bronze medal in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. She is right where her sister, Sarah, was four years ago. Sarah went on to upset the world and win gold at the 2002 Olympic games. I remember my wife and I rooting for her and her bubbly personality. And Emily seemed to be following suit.
Unfortunately the world will not get a chance to see Emily compete in Torino next month. Michelle Kwan, who hardly competed at all in 2005 and skipped out on the Nationals, petitioned to be allowed on the team. And, despite the actual effort and performance of young Ms. Hughes, Kwan has replaced her.
Now, I know in the grand scheme of things, who represents the United States in women's figure skating is far from monumental. It also will not change the lives of millions or make the world a better place.
But it may very well have ruined the future of Emily Hughes, who earned the right to be on the Olympic team. She may never get this shot again. And some committee decided to steal what she earned to give it to someone who failed to compete.
As I said, you can find injustices anywhere.
If you live, work or play in any city, you will see homeless people huddled under even the tiniest of shelters with hopes of keeping them dry. Drive through that cities nicest parts and notice a predominantly (if not entirely) white community. Then drive through the cities roughest parts and see the exact opposite.
Sometimes the injustices are in seemingly unimportant areas. Like sports. Women's figure skating, in particular.
Emily Hughes skated hard over the past week. She earned a bronze medal in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. She is right where her sister, Sarah, was four years ago. Sarah went on to upset the world and win gold at the 2002 Olympic games. I remember my wife and I rooting for her and her bubbly personality. And Emily seemed to be following suit.
Unfortunately the world will not get a chance to see Emily compete in Torino next month. Michelle Kwan, who hardly competed at all in 2005 and skipped out on the Nationals, petitioned to be allowed on the team. And, despite the actual effort and performance of young Ms. Hughes, Kwan has replaced her.
Now, I know in the grand scheme of things, who represents the United States in women's figure skating is far from monumental. It also will not change the lives of millions or make the world a better place.
But it may very well have ruined the future of Emily Hughes, who earned the right to be on the Olympic team. She may never get this shot again. And some committee decided to steal what she earned to give it to someone who failed to compete.
As I said, you can find injustices anywhere.
posted by E-Luv at 9:10 AM
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