Chanting at NCAA Basketball Game Costs Five Southern Miss Students Their Scholarships

Sometimes, two or more events that are unlikely to occur together by chance are observed to happen in a meaningful manner. This experience is known as synchronicity, first described by Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung. The concept of synchronicity does not question, or compete with, the notion of causality (one event causing another). Instead, it maintains that, just as events may be grouped by cause, they may also be grouped by meaning. A grouping of events by meaning need not have an explanation in terms of cause and effect.

I thought about this term today as I read the news. I have written about a particular subject several times recently, so I fear another post on the subject may make people think I am purposely harping about some personal agenda. However, since I try to find timely material for blogging, I can't help but report this news because the synchronicity seemed to smack me squarely in the face.

The News Story

"Mississippi has revoked the scholarships of five members (not identified) of its pep band who took part in the heckling of a Kansas State basketball player at last Thursday's NCAA  men's basketball tournament game.

"The school announced Tuesday that the five students also were removed from the band and will be required to complete a two-hour cultural sensitivity training course this week

"Southern Miss issued an apology last week to Kansas State point guard Angel Rodriguez after he was the target of chants of "Where's your green card?" during the Wildcats' 70-64 second-round victory in the NCAA tournament. Rodriguez had 13 points and four assists in the game that was played in Pittsburgh....

"Rodriguez said last week that he accepted the apology because 'there's ignorant people and I know that's not how they want to represent their university.'

"Rodriguez said he doesn't pay attention to that  'nonsense, especially because Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, so we don't need any type of papers.'" ("5 Southern Miss Pep Band Members Disciplined For 'Green Card' Chant," Fox News, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/20/five-from-southern-miss-pep-band-disciplined/?test=latestnews, March 20 2012)

Of course, I find a very real similarity between this Southern Miss/Kansas State game and the Ohio High School Tournament game that pitted PHS against Valley. I needn't review the claims of derogatory chanting and latent racist overtones during that high school contest. My prior entries are posted in the blog for all to review. If you need to get some background, just go back a few days.

The "touch," the synchronicity of these two highly competitive events warrants attention. Why? As I stated before, I think many people lose sensitivity as they allow emotion to come to the fore. And, rather remarkably, even after the fervor of a contest cools and some attendees report inappropriate behaviors had occurred, many people allow school "pride" to take precedence over defending human dignity. These folks want to deny or soften any charges by basically saying "it was no big deal."

What do I think the importance of the synchronicity of these events two displays? Well, several things that were the subject of hot debate last week.


1. Mixed connotation is really no excuse for actual abusive language during a school event. The utterances:

                 Valley/PHS                                                              Southern Miss/Kansas State

"Ribs and chicken!" "STD!" "You can't read!"                     "Where's your green card!"
"You suck!" "OGT!"


2. The public nor the players should be subjected to, or the target of, derisive actions that may interfere with their rights as they relate to discrimination or peaceful assembly.

                Valley/PHS                                                              Southern Miss/Kansas State

Utterances viewed as racist, sexually derogatory,                Utterences viewed as racist.
and acadacemically and socially degrading.



3. A very tiny, aggressive contingent in a heated crowd can cause major disturbances and jeopardize the safety of everyone.

                Valley/PHS                                                              Southern Miss/Kansas State

Not specified other than "a few students"                        Five members of the                 
and reports of a few adults.                                                Southern Miss pep band.



4. Those who insist in jeering, chanting insults, or engaging in any other inappropriate behaviors at a school event should be punished.

                Valley/PHS                                                          Southern Miss/Kansas State

Valley Superintendent vowed "to administer          Southern Miss took scholarshios
 appropriate disciplinary actions." PHS                  of the five pep band members. USM's
did not report their disciplinary response.              athletic director and school personnel
                                                                                     came to Kansas State's team hotel to
                                                                                     apologize.


I believe synchronicity has made the connection of these two events, one secondary school and one college, a very appropriate learning moment for local high schools, their fans, and their teams.

One of my major duties as a high school teacher was to prepare students for college -- not only to groom them for the rigors of subject matter they would face but also to provide them with workable keys to surviving and thriving in the vastly different college experience. In short, I needed to ready my classes for a very big transition, one I had experienced and lived through for over seven years.

The reality is that high schools must realize that most colleges will not tolerate aggressive, harmful behaviors or racism of any kind. If college students believe excuses and thoughtless, stonewalling explanations will pardon them from wrongdoings, they are simply wrong. Unfortunately, five Southern Mississippi pep band members found this out the hard way. Scholarship gone = no refund.

These pep band members couldn't explain away the offense with a connotation that "Where's your green card?" was a reference to a warning in hockey or to a card that permits access to a library. These students thought they knew the background of Angel Rodriguez (They obviously didn't.), and they, in some way believed that racist chants would help their basketball team, so they spewed their false hatred against Angel and against aliens onto the floor. Period.

Did you ever try arguing with a professor or with a dean or with any college official? Don't waste your time with excuses and emotional displays. Colleges and universities demand personal responsibility from their students.

This is a powerful but much-needed lesson for college preparation. The lesson is that the intent and actual utterance or display of bigotry, prejudice, animosity, or rude partiality will be considered facts for judging those who cannot control their emotional behavior. And, all members of a school, no matter what age, are personally responsible for any regrettable actions they commit while a member of the institution.

Spelling it out rudely -- in a family crowd, you don't have to shout "Nigger!" or "White Trash!" or "Queer!" or "Mother fucker!" or "I want to kill you!" or "You're an ignorant sped!" or "You are a ho bitch!" to get into trouble... trouble that could cost you money, precious time, imprisonment, or future embarrassment. All you have to do is intentionally insult just one other individual to be deemed wrong and guilty. Why? Because you, at minimum, are responsible for your own actions, and, in certain circumstances, are responsible for the ugly actions of others. You can't plead, "The crowd make me do it."

I hope this little case of synchronicity may save someone from losing something of value in the future.

So You Want a "50 Shades of Grey" Girly Man, Baby?

OK, buddy, you're a young man looking for the perfect female, a woman with personality, intelligence, beauty, and charm. What are your chances of landing the babe of your dreams? And, more importantly, how do you maximize your ability to attract her?

I've always contended that wealth and stability are invaluable assets for most men seeking a perfect companion. Not everyone agrees with me. Of course, everybody has heard the standard beauty contestant's rote interview line of "personality and a sense of humor are foremost to me in an attractive male." And, the recent advertising philosophy adopted by more randy-thinking men stresses the importance of developing "bigger portions" of certain anatomical features. These infomercials go to great lengths (uh, no pun intended) to defend the claim that "size does matter."

But now, guys, guess what some fairly recent research has confirmed about males who successfully attract the opposite sex? It will be shocking news to many, and, I'm sure, good news for some. Read on...

Scientists believe they have created the perfect male face, a man so handsome that any woman would automatically pick him out of a crowd:

"He has large expressive eyes

set in a smooth-skinned symmetrical face,

a straight nose and rounded hair and jaw line.

"Although his makers admit he looks slightly girly,

 they have found modern women

want caring feminine traits rather than

more macho markings."

(Lois Rogers, "Male Beauty: Feminine Face is Key To a Woman's Heart,"

The Sunday Times, http://www.sensualism.com/beauty/index.html, December 8 2002.)

Researchers at the St Andrews University psychology department did the study. The research involved 34 female "raters" with an average age of 20  who were asked to give marks out of seven for masculinity and attractiveness to various composite images of the men.

The clear winner was a composite of all 12,

feminised to soften the jaw line and perfect the complexion.

The researchers say smooth skin in men conveys

an absence of inherited disease or damage.

It comes as no surprise that symmetry in male and female features is an important attribute in sexual attraction, but the rise of feminine appeal in a male face is a modern trait.

"Women find femininity appealing in a male face

 because they said they associate it

with co-operation, honesty and parental ability,"

said Tony Little, the principal research psychologist.

"Strongly masculine features are considered threatening

 and less attractive, but they still want some combination

 involving masculine features because

they want dominance, too."

The model man is actually a computer-generated photo, but if you are looking for the embodiment of the ideal man, Little says he would resemble Jude Law or Brad Pitt. He judges Leonardo DiCaprio as "too girlish" and Arnold Schwarzenegger as "too aggressive and too promiscuous."

Women want a womanish man who dominates?

Is it any wonder we men don't truly understand any thought that resides in a female brain? I mean, according to the research, the ideal man is a contradictory combination of polar opposites -- a girlish Beauty and a subdued Beast. What ordinary man could successfully convince his dream girl that he fills the bill? Hunkish hunks are in trouble as well as fine gentlemen. Evidently, ordinary Joe is way out in left field without a hat or a glove.

And what about this new erotic novel that is causing all the stir among women? 50 Shades of Grey has been acquired by Vintage Books for a seven-figure sum. Written by a little-known London author named E.L. James, it relies heavily on “BDSM” -- bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism.

According to the website http://www.gurumommy.com/, every woman in Armonk, N.Y., is reading the book, and some are so obsessed that they are forgetting to pick up their kids at school. More than that, "when you put the book down, you will actually want to have sex with your husband. Like, a lot," writes Linda Meadows, the “Gurumommy,” a Los Angeles mom of three.

It seems that the mommy bloggers and the feminist bloggers agree: Both groups are hailing the book for encouraging women to explore their sexuality. Yet, Rachel Kramer Bussel, a former sex columnist and the editor of the Best Bondage Erotica 2012, explained that enjoying the fantasy of a dominant sexual relationship does not mean that a woman wants to be dominated by men in all aspects of her life. (Jo Piazza, "Erotic Novel 50 Shades of Grey Unites Girls, Unnerves Some Guys," Fox News, March 14 2012)


Come on now, ladies. I thought women's liberation established the need of females to be just as assertive as males. I'm so damned confused now I don't know whether you want me to "powder your fanny" or "slap your ass." Believe me, neither Mom nor Dad ever prepared me for the reality of understanding the 21st century woman. I've gotten through some novel situations by relying on a combination of luck and intuition, but I think my old mind has become too totally scrambled by never ending contradictions to make any sense of feminine desire.


So, in the end, fellow males, I am more confused about what a woman wants than ever before. I will try to summarize some of the information I found on the subject just to provide you guys with an ideal you can attempt to model.

If you were lucky enough to be born with those feminine features of smooth skin, a symmetrical face, etc., you should ride them for all they're worth. I would assume that would mean spending much more time in personal grooming and in perfecting all aspects of cosmetology.

Girly-looking guys, find a feature, some feature, any feature of your looks to rough up. You know, something healthy that looks tough... an occasional stubble beard or a more prominent brow... hell, I don't know. Fake it, OK? But, definitely add a semblance of "bad" to your natural "good" looks.

If, on the other hand, you look more like Alfred E. Newman or Arnold the Governator, buy that 50 Shades book and find out how to maximize your ability to help women fantasize and believe you are truly "beautiful" in as many ways as possible. Just fake it, OK?  I'm too old to research any of the BDSM behavior, so if you go that route, you are on your own. I'm pretty sure women want you to "dominate" without being "dominant." I have no idea what that means, but I guess you should just "switch it up" every now and then. And, oh yeah, add an extra shower to your weekly routine.

In any case, my advice still holds. If you want the girl, make a ton of money, build a fine home, and let it be known that your pretty or ugly face is looking for someone to hold your wallet. When you think you've found your "babe of babes," be sure to have her sign a prenuptial agreement because you must remember "women always have the prerogative to change their minds."

Then, you can wish your pretty companion well as she heads to the mall, and you can head back to the big screen to watch the ballgame in peace. Don't worry, she will be back when the stores close or when the money runs out. That's a safe bet.

Too Old to Worry About Bugging Valley Indians or Portsmouth Trojans

I've been thinking about the allegations, the denials, and the heated debate concerning the basketball tournament game between two local schools, Valley and PHS. After I read the story and all of the reader comments in the Portsmouth Daily Times and on Facebook, I can honestly say that the most disturbing thing about the entire incident and its aftermath is that people hold such definite, linear opinions despite the facts.

It seems people are quick to judge within their own framework of reference, no matter what actually happened. In a court of law, any past occurrences not directly related to the behavior of the fans at this particular game could not be used as evidence. Speculation and connotation would be challenged and likely stricken from record. A judge would warn the two parties to "stick to the facts." And, the extent of  injury, if any in fact did occur, would be the judgment of the court. It would be called a "decision."

The obvious truth to me is that such a judgment would be celebrated by the winning party and bemoaned by the losing party, and sadly, no one's personal opinion would change.

Am I right? I think, the views about the actions of the crowd, Valley and PHS in composition, are so adamantly set that a slim chance for a new, enlightened perspective does not exist. The public is not going to be swayed by something as important as the facts. The kin, the race, the school, the friends -- the allegiance of the fan is stronger than the will to accept any blame. To me, that is unacceptable fanaticism.

Just look at the reasons people used for judgment after the fact:

1. The emotional heat of the closely contested rivalry,
2. The inadequate, unfair and untimely report of the press explaining the cheers,
3. The meaning, innuendo and connotations of the uttered speech,
4. The blame for past indecencies and the desire for payback,
5. The ignition of the SOC racial controversy during the tournament,
6. The "no big deal" attitude toward taunting costumes, chants and behaviors,
7. The allegations of racism, reverse racism, and use of the "race card,"
8. The facts concerning the decision to pursue the sting of improper behaviors,
9. The "pass the buck" and we will take care of things "in house" resolutions,
10. The belief in just about anything "shady" done by either school in recorded history.

I hold with the idea that the differences between Valley and PHS create a mindset in many fans that makes jeering easy and acceptable. To me, both schools are unique in composition and that very fact does not "set" with some fans' opinions of mutual respect. Opposition, not competition, is responsible for painting a villain. Of course, neither school is entirely blameless for creating opposition.

Is color the issue? Is the accusation of racism the issue? Is Mom or Dad's view the issue?  Is this type of jeering perfectly acceptable from today's fan base? Is this a ploy for sympathy or an honest plea of those in charge? Does your school do more nasty things than my school? Does anyone really care? 

You know, I wasn't there. I did think about attending, but now, I'm glad I didn't go to the game. So, there -- I am not a witness nor do I want to be a witness. I don't want to "stir things up" in my blog and "make everything worse." I don't want students or fans of both schools to hate each other or to seek revenge. I do, however, reserve the right to my opinion based on the "loose" facts.

I have a lot of time and family and money invested in Valley and in PHS. I am able to love both schools, so I think I should be able to quarrel a little with both in a positive manner.

My concern is that insult leads to insult. Undertones lead to actions that are not connotative but denotative. I cannot believe that challenging banter and sniping gamesmanship of either school is proper behavior for a competitive event. If it is, I expect that old, set opinions will never change. Mockery will only reinforce old thinking and, most likely, encourage younger generations to "believe what I told you about that school."

I suggest the student bodies (all student bodies, for that matter) vow to cheer for their own school and cease any future "commentary" about their opponents, no matter how "different" or "distasteful" their foes may be. Don't even go with the questionable behaviors. Leave the "trash talk" for the "trashy people" who prefer to see such behavior as proper conduct in their "trashy lives." Otherwise, ladies and gentlemen, what have we become?

Fear This Quiz: English Usage Demons

The following examples contain errors. English usage can be very difficult to master, but misuse can be very embarrassing. Each of these samples contains at least one error. Most of them contain multiple errors, so read them carefully. Correct each and check the answers that follow.


The Examples

1. I am just to tired to fix too flat tires. Are you tired, too?


2. There going to stay their in their fishing cabin.


3. Tom always thinks he can due more work then anyone.


4. Father felt badly after he took the wrong exit on the interstate.


5. Though only sixteen years old, the college accepted Martha's application.


6. Each one of the firemen need to complete their personal profile.


7. Are you alright?  You seem to have a lot of problems.


8. Between you and I, Williams played poor tonight.


9. I would of called if I had remembered to get moms' cell phone off of the table.


10. My son laid in bed until 11:00 A.M. in the morning.


11. When the boss walked in the room, the employees begun working more harder.


12. Its lunch time, so please bring the lunch boxs to the kids.


13. I hope to make less errors on this exam, a poor score could negatively affect my yearly grade.


14. Has Sandy ever ran a marathon? I use to run in at least one race every year.


15. When one first sees a painting by Georgia O'Keeffe, you are impressed with a sense of power and stillness.


16, Tim whom was President of the club spoke first.


17. On the chair set two actresses's hats.


18. Orlando resents you being so popular


19. We were suppose to attend the dance last night, however, our principal means of transportation would not start.


20. "Did you see the young, golden retriever," Bob asked, "It was so cute".


21. The candy dish was empty, but we were tired of eating it anyway.


22. When the children turned on the television a buzzing sound was heard.


23. Alex asked me "to prepare the salad and also baking the chocolate cake?"


24. The vender almost sold all of her pottery at the crafts fare.


25. Joe hiked further along the trail than he have originally intended.

The Answers

1. I am just to tired to fix too flat tires. Are you tired, too?

Correction:  I am just too tired to fix two flat tires. Are you tired, too?

Problems:   Word usage


2. There going to stay their in their fishing cabin.

Correction:  They're going to stay there in their fishing cabin.

Problems:  Word usage


3. Tom always thinks he can due more work then anyone.

Correction:  Tom always thinks he can do more work than anyone else.

Problems:  Word usage and comparative (illogical)


4. Father felt badly after he took the wrong exit on the interstate.

Correction:  Father felt bad after he had taken the wrong exit on the interstate.

Problems:  Adjective usage and perfect verb tense (two past actions, use perfect tense for first)


5. Though only sixteen years old, the college accepted Martha's application.

Correction:  Though Martha was only sixteen years old, the college accepted her application.

Problems:  Misplaced modification


6. Each one of the new firemen need to complete their personal profile.

Correction:  Each one of the new firemen needs to complete his personal profile.

Problems:  Pronoun agreement and subject/verb agreement  (firemen is clearly masculine and antecedent is each one)


7. Are you alright? You seem to have a lot of problems.

Correction:  Are you all right?  You seem to have a lot of problems.

Problems:  Word usage


8. Between you and I, Williams played poor tonight.

Correction:  Between you and me, (I think) Williams played poorly tonight.

Problems:  Objective case pronoun and adverb modification, probably best to give prepositional phrase modification I think


9. I would of called if I had remembered to get moms' cell phone off of the table.

Correction:  I would have called if I had remembered to get Mom's cell phone off the table.

Problems:  Incorrect verb phrase, capitalization, singular possession, and double preposition


10. My son laid in bed until 11:00 A.M. in the morning.

Correction:  My son lay in bed until 11:00 A.M.

Problems:  Problem verb principal parts and redundant A.M. and in the morning


11. When the boss walked in the room, the employees begun working more harder.

Correction:  When the boss walked into the room, the employees began working harder.
Problems:  Preposition usage (in is inside), verb principle parts, and double comparative degree adverb


12. Its lunch time so please bring the lunch boxs to the kids.

Correction:  It's lunch time, so please take the lunch boxes to the kids.

Problems:  Contraction (it is), word usage (point of departure is considered, use take (to), plural noun form


13. I hope to make less errors on this exam, a poor score could negatively affect my yearly grade.

Correction:  I hope to make fewer errors on this exam.  A poor score could negatively affect my yearly grade.

Problems:  Adjective usage and run-on sentence


14. Has Sandy ever ran a marathon? I use to run in at least one race every year.

Correction:  Has Sandy ever run in a marathon?  I used to run in at least one race every year.

Problems: Perfect verb tense (has run) and past verb tense


15. When one first sees a painting by Georgia O'Keeffe, you are impressed with a sense of power and stillness.

Correction:  When one first sees a painting by Georgia O'Keeffe, he (or she) is impressed with a sense of power and stillness. And newer school (they are impressed) they as the gender-non-specific, singular pronoun (I still have problems with gender reference myself.)

Problems: Pronoun pronoun point of view shift (third person to second person)



16, Tim whom was President of the club spoke first.

Correction:  Tim, who was president of the club, spoke first.

Problems: Nonrestrictive clause comma usage and nominative case (who) subject



17. On the chair set two actresses's hats.

Correction:  On the chair sat two actresses' hats. Or  Two actresses' hats sat on the chair.

Problems: Problem verb usage principle parts and possessive of plural nouns


18. Orlando resents you being so popular.

Correction:  Orlando resents your being so popular.

Problems:  Possessive case use before a gerund (noun - being so popular)



19. We were suppose to attend the dance last night, however, our principal means of transportation would not start.

Correction:  We were supposed to attend the dance last night; however, our principle means of transportation would not start.

Problems:  Verb tense, run-on sentence (conjunctive adverb punctuation), and word usage


20. "Did you see the young, golden retriever," Bob asked, "It was so cute".

Correction:  "Did you see the young golden retriever?" Bob asked. "It was so cute."

Problems:  Unequal compound adjective (no comma), run-on sentence, and dialogue punctuation


21. The candy dish was empty, but we were tired of eating it anyway.

Correction:  The candy dish was empty, but we were tired of eating candy anyway.

Problems:  Vague pronoun reference (eating dish)


 22. When the children turned on the television a buzzing sound was heard.

Correction:  When the children turned on the television, they heard a buzzing sound.

Problems:  Intro dependent clause comma and mixed verb voice of active and passive


23. Alex asked me "to prepare the salad and also baking the chocolate cake?"

Correction:  Alex asked me to prepare the salad and also (to) bake the chocolate cake.

Problems:  Indirect quote (no quotation) and parallel structure (two infinitives, to may be understood)


24. The vender almost sold all of her pottery at the crafts fare.

Correction:  The vender sold almost all of her pottery at the crafts fair.

Problems:  Misplaced adjective and word usage


25. Joe hiked further along the trail than he have originally intended.

Correction:  Joe hiked farther along the trail than he had originally intended.

Problems:  Word (adverb) usage (word part far relates to physical distance) and subject/verb agreement

Jeering, Taunting At High School Sports Contests

The Ohio High School Basketball Tournament features outstanding competition and great entertainment in a family atmosphere. All ages enjoy the games, many of which pit teams so well matched that one basket or one free throw separates the advancing squad from the losing foe.

Naturally, the crowds become so engrossed in the action that spectators feel the palpable tension and suspense build throughout each game. Sometimes, individuals in cheering sections can become so heated that a referee, a coach, a player, or the opposing crowd causes them to lose control and say or do hurtful or aggressive things.

A psychologist might call this the social identity theory, in which fans tend to identify themselves as part of the team they are watching, so they feel intimately involved in the action.This results in the abandonment of normal restraints and inhibitions, without which, fans demonstrate increased responses to situational forces; they may throw garbage, boo and jeer players or referees, or even riot.

What triggers can make this regretful behavior occur?

Emotional Instability - A simple fight that becomes uncontrollable could cause insecurity within a specific area in the environment.

Fear - Fear of endangerment or harm can arise from emotions related to panic and may lead to deadly consequences.                      

Anger/violence - Violence is foreseeable when feelings of anger or rage take over a crowd.

Spatial limitations - Close quarters can lead to confrontations that spill over unintentionally.

Demographics - Specific locations or groups of people cause crisis events. The nature of the event, the environment where it occurs, or differences in the makeup of the crowds can create an environment for possible disruptive behaviors.

Here are five psychological factors concerning a crowd that security supervisors at such events should be aware of:

Security - People may feel keen about joining a crowd for security.

Suggestion - When someone is part of a crowd their own morals and belief system may shut down because they focus their thoughts on energy on the leader of the group.

Novelty - Individuals may join a crowd for excitement or in search of an adventure.

Loss of Identity - People tend to forget they are individuals and believe they are immune to consequences when participating amongst a crowd. As a result, they may partake in deviant behaviors. The type of behavior where people abandon their norms and act similar to the rest of the crowd is labeled deindividuation. (Heather Kessler, "Crowd Panic: Proactive Versus Active Responses," International Foundation For Protective Officers, 2012)

According to deindividuation theory, the psychological state of deindividuation is aroused when individuals join crowds or large groups. It is characterized by diminished awareness of self and individuality. This, in turn, reduces a person's self-restraint and normative regulation of behavior.
It becomes a transition from a personal to a social (group) identity.

In simple terms,

the three most important factors

for deindividuation in a group of people are:

• Anonymity, so I can not be found out.
• Diffused responsibility, so I am not responsible for my actions.
• Group size, as a larger group increases the above two factors. 

When I think back to many of the times I got into the most trouble as a teenager or as a young adult (oh, ok, hell, as an adult), I realize the power of deindividuation. Chances are I was in a group during those mischievous times, a willing participant mind you, and somehow I became seduced by the collective will of my peers. Sometimes I even suggested the "little prank" myself but with the backing of the group, I felt little blame for any consequences because I shared all the responsibility with them.


No matter who had the bad idea, when we joined the group plan, we all became willing accomplices.

When the principal, parent or police asked, “What were you kids thinking?” I had no answer because there wasn’t one. I was just reacting with the herd -- and, of course, denying my better judgment.

What kind of things make questionable actions easier?  A costume, wardrobe, or a disguise, of course, helps make doing "the deed" easier. Just think of Halloween and how a costume can change a person's personality or hide his identity so that he can let loose of some control. When role playing crosses real world limits, trouble is bound to occur. If a person feels fully anonymous, his flaws can easily surface.

Chanting, singing, dancing and other ritualistic, repetitive group activities are particularly effective at focusing a person's attention and distracting him from the boundaries of his head and body. Typically these kinds of activities allow a person's emotions to build and build until his persona shatters and even his morals can disappear.

I have DJed many dances, and I can tell you the power of music and a rhythmic crowd is infectious and, quite frankly, the combination can lead to embarrassing, even indecent behavior. Inhibitions disintegrate very rapidly in the right environment. I'm so glad I've never been guilty of being in those places and acting that way... ah hum... ah hum.

Isn't it amazing how a little bit of stirring, emotional speech can spark a huge crowd reaction? Every coach looks for the appropriate words to ignite just the right amount of desire in his team. Sometimes, the pregame comments actually seem to work. Many times though they equate to hackneyed, quick adrenaline "picker-uppers" that soon fade as the reality of the contest takes control.

In a crowd, the loud emotional reactions of one or two people can transform a tranquil group into a heckling mob. I have been guilty of joining these groups who are out to lynch a referee for a questionable call. The next morning following the game, I wake up and feel totally embarrassed for making such a fool out of myself. In fact, I never blame the crowd or the referee in the morning for my own stupidity. And, I'm sure the sane individuals viewing the game and my idiocy then see me as some crazed Jekyll and Hyde. And, I had hoped to keep a cap on that fact, dang it.

Even intense team building can make some show their deindividuation in negative ways. Uniforms, colors, war paint -- all have an emotional value. In the right connotation and circumstance, these decorative features serve a vital purpose, but to those who "worship" the uniform or the war paint,the materials help contribute to a breeding ground for potentially ugly fanaticism. I am not saying ban all face paint, banners, etc. from athletic contests; however, I am saying some individuals can take this behavior as grounds for taunting and not cheering.

Any, ANY, use of a dehumanizing label can cause instant deindividuation. Lack of knowledge concerning connotation is no excuse in the eyes of authority. Isn't it strange that many of the same people who abhor bullying comments and go out of their way to protect human rights also bemoan any degree of political correctness in terms of their own language? Speech is not free as many would think, rather speech has certain limitations. Youth need to be shown this important lesson by example.

Of course, any consumption of alcohol can lower inhibition and thus increase the risk for deindividuation. A cocktail of alcohol, an emotional crowd, a heated rivalry, and a close contest (or embarrassing "blowout") is synonymous with gasoline-soaked firewood in its combustibility factor.

Almost all of my most regrettable acts were fueled with spirits and ignited by some supposed derogatory comment. Today, high school tailgates that either openly or secretively allow alcohol on or adjacent to school premises do occur. Not only are these "team-supporting" activities bad examples for students but also they are powder kegs for violence and sources for drunk driving tragedies.

Let's Back Off From "In Your Face"

I hope basketball crowds cheer their teams with all their might. I regret that some students and adults see high school sports contests as opportunities to deride opponents. Certain rivalries and differences in Scioto County account for tremendous emotions and incredible loyalty to small schools. This loyalty, however, should not extend to jeering and taunting the opposing team.

This poor behavior -- whether racial or inappropriate or cloaked in innuendo or simply ignorant -- should be banned. League officials, referees, protective officers, school officials, site managers, teachers, students, and parents must stop passing the buck, making excuses, and denying responsibility for bad behavior. Stopping this stupidity can and should be done. But, if adults choose to follow trends in college and professional sports, high school cheering will remain full of negativity and trash talking, hardly sportsman(woman)ship conduct.

Sucking, Chicken, and STD -- Just Another Valley, PHS Game?

Bob Strickley and Ryan Scott Ottney of the Portsmouth Daily Times reported the following after reviewing a video of this recent basketball game:

"During Saturday’s Division III Southeast District Final between Portsmouth and Valley high schools at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio, the crowd was heard chanting “ribs and chicken” at Portsmouth’s black players on the court. The crowd was also heard shouting “STD,” and “You can’t read” at Portsmouth players, and shouting “You suck” at Valley players."

Portsmouth coach Gene Collins said the chants really didn't affect the play of his team: Portsmouth won the contest 54-50. He said he understood this chanting was the act of a few unruly students and not reflective of Valley's players, coaches, administration or community, and he said his team didn't hold any animosity toward the Valley players or their coaches for the incident.

Collins did say, “(But) they’re (chants) very hurtful when you are making comments in reference to that kind of stuff.” He also reported that it wasn't the first time he had "found" racism at high school games in Scioto County and that the county is "a setting where people still have problems with race." Collins even said that racism might be what’s keeping Portsmouth out of the Southern Ohio Conference (SOC), a league that includes every other Scioto County school.


Valley’s Superintendent Patricia Ciraso said school officials attending the game did stop some of the rowdy chanting, but none reported hearing the chants of “ribs and chicken.” She said students did admit saying some things that might have been inappropriate, but she told the Times the students never had any racial intent with these chants.


Ciraso released this statement regarding Valley’s ongoing investigation into the use of offensive chants by its high school students:

“The Valley Local School District Board of Education, its administration and staff will continue to take actions to uncover any misconduct of its students related to the basketball playoff game and to administer appropriate disciplinary action,” the statement said. “The district will use all available avenues to send a strong message to students that inappropriate remarks and communications will not be tolerated.” (Ryan Scott Ottney and Bob Strickley, "Realities of Racism: Coaches, Players Dealing With Racism in High School Sports," Portsmouth Daily Times, March 16 2012)

I am a 1969 Valley graduate who played football and baseball during high school. I returned to Valley High to teach English in 1974 and taught there for the next 27 years while also assisting with the football and softball programs.

During that time, our school played against many teams -- Portsmouth, Notre Dame, Hazard Ky., Boys Industrial School, and others -- who had many black players. The games, though fiercely competitive, were conducted and controlled with respect to proper decency and appropriate sportsmanship. To my knowledge, players and coaches exhibited proper respect during these contests.

This is not to say certain racial undercurrents were not present at these games: I know a significant segment of the fans had an issue with "Scioto County blacks" whom they referred to as "niggers living in Bucktown." And, I know the competitive play from a black player prompted some of these people to begin stewing in their "ribs and chicken" mentality -- an ever-present potential powder keg for violence.

I'm also sure isolated racial incidents did occur; however, fans never "trash talked" with organized chants containing derogatory, inflammatory content to degrade a race, a religion, or any condition of an opposing player or coach. A very direct supervisory presence made certain proper sports decorum was maintained during all games.

I believe as soon as fans, especially students, use taunting behaviors meant to inflame a crowd, school officials should see that it stops immediately and request arena officials to announce that any further outbursts will lead to removal from the stands and, if needed, appropriate action from enforcement or school authorities.

You see, saying you are not prejudiced, confirming that you are not prejudiced by associating with a few minority members, and actually living a life void of prejudice actions are all different integrated mindsets. Most county schools have very few minority students and minority parents.

By the overwhelmingly Caucasian composition of district populations, these schools seldom have to deal with in-house racial issues. Their beliefs are not often tempered in practice. And, of course, some people in county districts are prejudiced solely by stubbornly adhering to the racist views of their ancestors. Guess who had a grandpa who once wore a KKK robe and hood? Yep, that would be me.

At heated sports contests, environments ripe for bandwagon blunders and potential mob mentalities, emotion can overcome common decency. Players know there is no place for this. Fanatics, too, must be taught that taunting "in your face" racial slurs and other derogatory actions and language are grounds for removal and/or charges.

Imagine being a young black or interracial child in the stands during a game when the black/white division is so obvious. The child hears these chants and asks his/her parent what they mean. No other answer can be given: "Son/Daughter, this means the fans for the other team think people of our race are different and dumber. Some of them don't like you and me because of our color."

Racism today is more subtle than ever. It no longer involves using the "N" word in public or directly confronting a human being because of his/her race. Oh, it is still alive in Scioto County with the same old hurtful intentions, but it is almost universally denied by people while they occupy their public circles and, instead, the racism is practiced privately through clannish real life exclusions and rude "good old boy" derision. And, yes, I don't deny reverse racism does occur, just not as often.

What a shame that some wish to take their ugly prejudices into something as meaningful and family oriented as a high school tournament basketball game. The contest has nothing to do with which crowd can dominate the other through their fanatic actions. Somewhere along the line maniacal, crazy crowd displays aimed at "showing up" the opposition became equated with good sportsmanship. Today, it is popular for many fans to cheer "against" the other team instead of restricting their reactions to cheering "for" their own team.

I attended Valley grades 6-12 and lived in Lucasville. I am a proud Valley graduate and a Valley teacher so blessed with many, many wonderful students and friends. Also, I have lived in Portsmouth for over 35 years, and I have lived and worked hand-in-hand with African-Americans. To say that I didn't go through a personal learning curve with my own racial issues would be a lie. I was a product of the Clay and Valley districts, so I had no experience with minorities besides competing against them in sports until 1970. I was a product of the "pure white" mold too.

I am both both ashamed of my past prejudice and content with my present views on equality -- views that were formed through direct experiences and deep soul searching. I feel I was very fortunate to find friends who made me realize how ignorant sorting people by "whites and blacks" truly was. Trips to Mississippi and North Carolina in the early seventies solidified by views. I saw and experienced segregation there, and it sickened me.

Color is not an issue to me. I neither choose my friends nor my family members based on whether they are black, white, brown, red, or purple. I tried very hard to teach my students the history of racism while I taught literature courses. I know how good intentioned they were after their studies, but, at the same time, I knew certain influences would press upon them and encourage them to develop the white race superiority mentality.

Back to the tournament game. It is no surprise that a group of immature Valley students and PHS students would take the opportunity to chant terrible, hurtful comments in the heat of competition. Maybe they meant no real harm, but no one can deny that racism does exist in Scioto County. All of this nonsense should be stopped. Yet, I believe we have special reason to be aware of racial slurs.

Like all who must learn by experience (some by hard knocks and some by easy attitude adjustments), the students should be punished for their actions. But, I would not be surprised if their parents fought any disciplinary action while giving excuses for the utterances of their children. In fact, I bet some parents were just as guilty as their kids -- they were probably chanting these things themselves. A cycle is evident. Unfortunately, there is a negative attitude and way of life some of the older generation want to instill vigorously in their offspring.

Whether mockery, slurs, race cards, or comebacks -- the crowd has no business getting in the way of an athletic contest. Attempts by the spectators to "fire up" the contestants can ignite inappropriate, crude behaviors that fuel deeper scars. The best athletes respect their opponents and desire only to prove their prowess against the best competition.

As far as a news story goes, the editorial on this single tournament game was "old hat." If the paper is really interested in doing investigative journalism as to why Portsmouth High School is not a part of the SOC, they should talk to much older heads and many more present and past officials of member schools. They should not attempt to single out blame on any one district or on any one incident or on any one cause. I know something about the history, and it seems only fair to print the entire story for all to read. I'm sure that edition would boost sales. Maybe the Times should run it in a series.

I love Valley High School. Three of my children attended Portsmouth High School, so I love PHS. I feel like Rodney King asking, "Can't we all just get along?" Sometimes my own home county disappoints me and draws my attention to something that should be fixed. When you are at the crossroads of an opinion, don't wear blinders. Take them off and look long in both directions. Then, choose the path you know is most beneficial, not only to you,  but to all of those behind you as well.

Faith: Is It Belief, Trust, Hope, or Just Convenient?

"Reason is our soul's left hand, faith her right." 

-John Donne

Faith and reason -- some of us believe faith rests solely in the sphere of religious or theological claims while all meaningful statements and ideas are accessible through thorough rational, empirical examination. In other words, these people see the two -- faith and reason -- existing in completely different domains.

In general, faith means that one considers a particular claim (e.g., "God exists") to be actual knowledge, absolutely certain knowledge. In faith, this claim to certainty is held in the absence of adequate evidence, or in direct contradiction to the evidence.

It is commonly held that reason means the application of logical principles to the available evidence.While the principles of reason/logic are certain, the conclusions one obtains from them are only as certain as the underlying assumptions, which is why science is rarely, if ever, absolutely certain (though in many cases, its theories are certain to a very high degree of probability).

Do all of us possess faith? Some would fervently argue that they do not possess faith, at least in the common connotation of the term They would deny faith because of their disbelief in religion. No established terminology exists for different models of faith. Yet, it helps us to have some means of expression to illustrate different concepts of the word. Perhaps we should examine faith in finer detail.

John Bishop  ("Faith." The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Fall 2010 Edition. Edward N. Zalta, ed.) writes of different models of faith to illustrate the differences in its application.

• The Purely Affective Model: faith as a feeling of existential (grounded in experience) confidence

Some philosophers hold that faith is to be identified simply with a state of feeling confident and trusting. This, then, is a default attitude of life that supposedly provides us with a valuable foundation for flourishing. Since this affective model is a faith without an object of belief, it has no cognitive component.

Someone following this model simply declares he has nothing to which he applies faith but that he is merely trusting in  general nature 

• The Special Knowledge Model: faith as knowledge of specific truths, revealed by God

This model identifies faith as knowledge of specific truths, revealed by God. Reformer John Calvin.  defines faith as "a firm and certain knowledge of God's benevolence towards us, founded upon the truth of the freely given promise in Christ, both revealed to our minds and sealed upon our hearts through the Holy Spirit." (John Calvin. Institutes III, ii, 7, 551, quoted by Plantinga. 2000)

Faith is thus understood as a kind of knowledge attended by a certainty that excludes doubt. But faith will not be exclusively cognitive, if, as in Calvin's definition, faith-knowledge is not only "revealed to our minds" but also "sealed upon our hearts."

Many acknowledge another component of the special knowledge model. They believe an active response is required for reception of the divine gift. Such a component is implied by the real possibility that faith may be resisted: indeed, it may be held that in our sinful state we will inevitably offer a resistance to faith that may be overcome only by God's grace.

Those who exhibit the faith of this model believe in the operation of the Holy Spirit in making the great truths of the Gospel directly known to them. They also believe they must accept the gifts in their minds and hearts without doubt.

• The Belief  Model: faith as belief that God exists

The belief model is comprised of theological content held with sufficient firmness and conviction --that God exists, is benevolent towards us, has a plan of salvation, etc. The person of religious faith is the person who has the theoretical conviction that there is a God. In any case, if success attends the extended natural theological project, the reasonableness of faith on this model will straightforwardly be vindicated.

In taking faith to consist in belief that theological propositions are true, this model invites the assumption that theological convictions belong in the same category of factual claims as scientific theoretical hypotheses with which they accordingly compete.

This is the same model found in John Locke: "Faith … is the assent to any proposition … upon the credit of the proposer, as coming from God, in some extraordinary way of communication."

Since God's grace is required for that assent, when grace is effective the whole "package deal" of propositional revealed truth is accepted. This yields the notion of "the Faith," as the body of theological truths to be accepted by "the faithful," and it becomes a sign of resistance to divine grace to "pick and choose" only some truths.

Those who accept this belief model acknowledge the existence of God and the necessity of accepting all theological truths and convictions as coming from Him.

• The Trust Model: faith as belief in (trust in) God

Not all models of faith are primarily propositional. Theistic faith may seem better expressed as believing in God, rather than as believing that God exists. This model holds that faith as accepting propositional truths as divinely revealed rests on believing in God—and it is this ‘believing in’ which is, fundamentally, the nature of faith.

What more is there to believing in God beyond believing that God exists? To believe in God is to make a practical commitment -- the kind involved in trusting God, or, trusting in God. (The root meaning of the Greek pistis, "faith," is "trust.") This, then, is a model of faith as trust—but of trust not simply in the sense of an affective state of confidence, but in the sense of an action.

Some call this the "Lutheran" model, and defines it as "the person of faith does not merely believe that there is a God (and believe certain propositions about him)—he trusts Him and commits himself to Him." Trust involves a venture, so too—it is widely agreed—does faith. So, if faith is trust, the venture of faith might be presumed to be the type of venture implicated in trust.

A venture is an action that places the agent and outcomes of concern to the agent significantly beyond the agent's own control. Trust implies venture.

The person who adheres to this faith believes in God as the nature of faith and makes a trusting commitment to adhere to His plan.

• The Doxastic Venture Model: faith as practical commitment beyond the evidence to one's belief that God exists

This view holds that venturing in trust does not carry risk if God really is the trustee. The venture involved in trusting in God is doxastic: In other words, the one who trusts ventures in believing that God exists and may be relied on for salvation. A model of theistic faith as trust thus appears to have, at its foundation, faith as doxastic venture: trusting in God seems to presuppose trusting that God exists. This model makes only this commitment of faith. But, then, of course, the question whether, and under what conditions, one may be entitled to such a venture becomes pressing. Last minute salvation?

This type of interpersonal trust does not require actually believing that the trustee is worthy of trust, only that one decisively acts on the assumption of its truth when one comes to act. People of theistic faith, however, typically do believe that God exists and may be trusted for salvation, and, if -- as we are here assuming -- acting on this belief ventures beyond evidential support, then it is a venture that persists and is not confined to a single commitment.

The person who places faith in the dogastic venture model makes only the commitment of trusting in God to deliver his salvation, not necessarily believing that God exists or that he has lived a life worthy of trust. 

• The Sub-Doxastic Venture Model: faith as practical commitment without belief

This model entails acting on the assumption that God exists without actual belief. The sub-doxastic venture model professes that faith is not an attempt to will something into existence but rather treating hoped for and unseen things as if they were real and then acting accordingly.

It involves practical commitment venturing beyond evidential support, yet it does not require (or, even, permit) that the person who ventures actually believes the faith-proposition assumed to be true. It involves venturing into the unknown and taking the risk of disappointment and defeat

This view requires resolve to use claims of faith as a basis for one's thoughts, attitudes and behaviours. There is no firm assurance of their truth. It involves acceptance rather than belief. Decisive commitment in the absence of assurance may, nevertheless, be possible, motivated by the evaluative belief that unless faith propositions are true that which is most worthwhile is not to be had.  God's grace plays a more limited role than usually supposed.

Those who subscribe to sub-dogastic views assume God exists without actually committing to that belief. They prefer to venture into the unknown and accept claims of faith without a firm assurance of their truth.

• The Hope Model: faith as hoping—or acting in the hope that—the God who saves exists.

Subscribers to this model identify faith with hoping that the claims of faith are true. Hope as such is an attitude rather than an active commitment: a model of faith as hope may thus, more strictly, take faith to be acting in, or from, hope. Such believers keep their life open or fluid with respect to a faith-proposition.

It comes close to a sub-doxastic venture model of faith, differing only in so far as acting from hope that God exists differs from taking this claim to be true (albeit without belief) in one's practical reasoning -- and this difference may be undetectable at the level of behavioural outcomes. A model of faith as acting in hope also shares with the sub-doxastic venture model in leaving out the affective certitude that is widely thought to characterise faith.

A hope model believer acts in hope that God exists without making any commitment, and yet he sees this hope as positively connected to his own well-being.

Did you find yourself fitting into one of the models above? To me, a life devoid of faith is meaningless. Faith allows us to comprehend and trust in things unseen. It increases our abilities to believe, to appreciate the mysteries of life, and to rest assured our spirits will never die. Faith is a healer of souls and a rock upon which to build. It is entirely beyond my comprehension how anyone could exist without faith.