The Continuing Fight Against Art & Intellect

The backlash against @JimRome continues, deservedly so, For those unaware, on Thursday, the well-known sportscaster/commentator tweeted:

“Is there anyone not in a marching band who thinks those dorks running around with their instruments are cool?”

The tweet has since been deleted has allegedly apologized (it was seriously weak) but no matter—Rome is learning what most of tech-savvy “dorks” have known for years; on the internet, everything is forever. And as such, he’s still hearing it—deservedly so. As a former band/corps member, his jibe (which yes, yes I get it, he says shit like that just to be controversial and get a rise) both pushed the expected buttons, but also rolled off my back much in the “water off a duck’s ass” sort of way. Seriously—same shit different day. My whole life I’ve been involved in activities that label me a “dork” in some form: musician/band/corps geek; figure skater; writer; even now, with my increasing involvement in ballroom dancing, I’m subject to the “wink, wink, nudge, nudge isn’t that cute and fluffy!” commentary. (Yet how many times have athletes gone into Dancing With the Stars utterly cocky about their ability to cope with the physical demands and wound up at the end of the first week whimpering and waving the white flag? ‘Nuff said.)

More telling, I think, within Rome’s comment is the arrogance and anger displayed towards culture and intellectualism that’s becoming frighteningly prevalent in this country. It’s as if it requires thought and finesse and refinement, then it’s viewed as somehow weak and needs to be mocked and beat down into submission. I don’t understand what they’re so frightened of.

What is frightening, however, is the world people like Rome would prefer to live in.


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