small world after all

The other day we had a nice experience at the park. Came across an adult soccer game in which each team had players from far corners of the globe. It almost goes without saying that the game was amicable and well-played. A little further down was a little league baseball game with a similar composition. At the other end of the park was hurling practice. Just another ordinary day in the park, right?

Only a few years ago all three of these scenes would have unlikely. The soccer and baseball-playing immigrants included Central Americans, Russians and Africans – none of whom came to the western U.S. in large numbers until more recently. Even now a great many citizens shun immigrants, though not to the degree that was once common. Twenty years ago I doubt there were enough locals who knew what hurling was to comprise a team, now we have past national champions - and you don’t even have to be Irish to play. (BTW, hurling is a fascinating game to watch.)

Just a little something to think of when windbags pontificate about how divided we are as a society.