Emile Durkheim, one of the leading sociologists, once argued that the individual is a product of society and not the other way around. In other words, we must begin with society in order to understand human beings.
Having said that, I would like to comment on the Saudi World Cup victory from a sociological perceptive. Many would ask the pertinent question...If these guys can do it, how come the National Team can't? I would say that this 'Special Needs' team isn't a part of society.
In the past World Cup tournaments, 2006, 2002, 1998, people would be surprised after each loss the National Team suffered. We're still asking the same questions today. Many would rant, "Where did all that money go?" Others would ponder, "Their needs are met, where is the output?" and so on. Referring back to Durkheim, in the end of the day, this National Team is just a sample pool of Saudi society. It reflects how "well-organized" we are, sarcastically speaking. And it also tells you a lot about our "dedication" to hard work, another sarcastic comment. Saudi Arabia has a lot of well-dedicated, hard workers, but compared on a macro level, these individuals are just a few one-digit percentiles that don't reflect what the larger scope of society looks like, or how it behaves. Many would argue, well, that's not true. I would say, why not? We would all know the outcome if a World Cup was held with the following events: job performance, work ethics, input and output while on the job, dedication, motivation, etc. I bet we would come last in all these events. How do I know? Well, I have yet to see a World Cup with these events. But I can sure comment on the Saudi team because it's in the spotlight for everyone to see. I'm not bashing on the team, I follow the team's news everywhere. I always say the only thing that keeps me patriotic is the national team.
Going back to the 'Special Needs' team. In our society, or any society, these individuals are deemed deviant because they are not like us and they don't meet or societal expectations and "needs." They come from diverse psychological backgrounds. Some are autistic, others have learning disabilities, and the list goes on. The positive aspect I see in these people is that they are different from the culture or society they live in. Studies have shown that autistic children don't have a sense of 'self' and so they see the world from a lens that is very different from ours. I enjoy trying to communicate with autistic children. I feel they are missing a few genes that we all carry. I don't see that 'hate' gene. Nor do I see the 'judging' gene, and so on. You feel like they're the original human template that we were all born from. The nature vs. nurture argument does not apply here.
This is where I come to conclude....I think the 'Special Needs' term should be labeled on all of us. This team that won the World Cup isn't in need for 'special needs'..it is us.
Nicely put!
Posted by
Anonymous |
4:30 AM
"the individual is a product of society and not the other way around. In other words, we must begin with society in order to understand human beings."
Nice post, it was enlightening.
Posted by
Unknown |
9:27 AM
Nice post - I enjoyed reading it, and you are 100% right.
Posted by
Kleio |
2:17 PM
Intresting post buddy, keep on the good work
Posted by
Anonymous |
3:47 AM