Racialization and the Last Temptation of Zinedine Zidane

I enjoyed this article because I felt it touched on several points that are salient to the study of global football. For example, the author in great detail elaborated on the influence that the media plays in the spread of global soccer more than ever before in the game’s history. It also delves into the 20th century advent of investigative journalism.

The media has incredible power over how audiences come into contact with sports. More than simply reporting, I believe the explosion of the mobile device era is equally as potent in information’s spread. I really give specific credit to the iPhone and iPad. The ease of using them, the accessibility of international news, and the almost uninterrupted internet connection makes them especially worthy of note. The iPhone popularized the smartphone craze. They are so widespread in the rich world. Even in the semi-peripheral tier of countries, Apple’s technology is influencing culture there.

Most significantly is the impact that globalized media wields over culture. Culture is being re-shaped and broken down. New trends and fads are materializing. I would say that soccer’s prominence in the United States is part of that materialization.

Race, as the author notes, is disputable. Some people find that it is self-assumed while others claim it is biologically dictated. I am not sure which faction is correct. The greater point is that race continues to remain entrenched in global culture. The author has noted that it comes to the forefront more than previously. One could feasibly argue that anti-racism and racism are global movements now. Supranational organizations incorporating citizens from diverse countries fight and promote racism like the UN.

The incident with Mr. Zidane represents a perfect mixture of global media, racism, and investigative journalism. Furthermore, it also illustrates a form of intolerance, linked to racism, but a separate form of prejudice: post-colonial aversions. I honestly believe much of the current tension over Muslim Algerians and Tunisians in France is derived from former imperialist grievances. This hatred spills over into the soccer field.

 Glocalization

As globalization is revolutionizing professional football, the same forces are beginning to shape youth football simultaneously. Migration of young players is occurring more often than before. Naturally, the concerns of culture shock and language barriers plague many foreign athletes no matter their national origin.

Transnational player migration is linked to the greater connections in Europe with fragmented political barriers and international unity. The European Union, I believe, is the most internationally linking membership organization for governments in the world. It plays a much more significant and immediate role for European states than does the UN. This prominence can be attributed to the economic unity of the Euro as well as the parliamentary body of Europe in Brussels that functions like a legislative council.

With this unity comes less stringent migration regulations. These were put in place to ease the flow of labor from one membership state to the next. Soccer follows this trend. The writer introduces this new topic of glocalization, which address the issues of assimilation.

The writer defines the difference between integration, assimilation, and resistance. I believe integrating into the society that one is placed into is the best method by which to achieve viability. Of course, I do not mean to suggest that it necessary to severe all ties to one’s ancestry. Retaining culture and other things is important. But one must assume a practicality that decrees language-learning. This is the most critical aspect of becoming successful in a society. Naturally, it is easier said than done.

For young people, homesickness and culture shock are expected problems. These emotional maladies decrease over time. Some young players find that passionate dedication to the sport overrides homesickness. Being successful is worth the struggles of adjustment.

Quotations

1. “‘Race’, though, can be an elusive object of analysis in such circumstances, sometimes to the fore but disputed in its ramifications, and at other times somehow displaced or recon- stituted as a shadow, spectral presence or euphemism.”

2. “The relationship between globalization, sport and racism in this case appears to be a matter of competition, boundaries, difference, mobility, visibility and ideological projection.”

3. “It was during extended periods of rest and recovery away from training that many of the players told of feeling particularly homesick, and often lonely.”

Questions

1. Does globalization increase racism, or merely increase the amount to which it is exposed? If the latter is true, is that not a benefit to the fight to rid the world of intolerance?
2. Why do some find it impossible to realize that integration into a host society can be possible while maintaining some identity of an original homeland? However, is that in itself achievable?