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The Conversation ... UK Edition | 11 July 2020

The Conversation ... UK Edition | 11 July 2020

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess
It's time to rethink national anthems Jonathan at The Conversation Unsubscribe 2:05 AM (7 hours ago) to me UK Edition | 11 July 2020 The Conversation Academic rigour, journalistic flair If you, like me, are a cricket fan, you’ll have welcomed the return of the summer game with the start of the first Test against the West Indies this week. It is a little weird to watch as the two teams are playing in an empty stadium. And that’s a pity, because before the start of play, the two teams, their support staff and the match officials took the knee in support of Black Lives Matter. It was a very moving moment. It should be noted that before this gesture of support took place, we had the usual rendition of Jerusalem, the unofficial anthem of English cricket. Blake’s inspirational poetry aside, it’s a good time to think about the use of anthems at sporting events. How about Swing Low, Sweet Chariot at England rugby internationals, for example? Do the fans belting out the song from the stands realise that they are actually singing a black slave hymn which is especially sacred to African-Americans? Meanwhile across the Americas, statues of Christopher Columbus are drawing protest, some being beheaded, others painted red to symbolise the bloodshed his “discovery” of America presaged. Back with sport, this weekend would usually have seen the Wimbledon finals were it not for COVID-19. So it’s a good time to consider what we’re missing and whether we are indeed seeing a golden age of tennis. While the sport’s landscape is particularly star-studded – with a handful of players at the top who could legitimately claim to be among the greatest ever – it’s been a long while since a serve and volley player has prevailed and the boring old baseline game has become standard. This week we’ve also been reading about why bats don’t seem to catch COVID-19 and scatching our heads at the news that Kanye West intends to run for US president. Meanwhile, if your holiday plans have been scuppered, you might like to consider a camping trip: fun for all the family! From our colleagues in the global network, you should check out this update on Sudan’s fraught politics, while, in the US, a Supreme Court decision promises to finally bring justice to the Creek Nation whose treaty rights have never been acknowledged. And, when New Zealanders go to the polls in September, as well as electing a government, voters wll have to make a key decision about assisted dying. Jonathan Este Associate Editor, Arts + Culture Editor
Black Lives Matter: West Indian players (as well as England players and match officials) took the knee before the start of the first cricket Test on July 8. Mike Hewitt/NMC Pool/PA Wire/PA Images

National anthems in sport: songs of praise or memorials that are past their use-by date?

Keith Parry, Bournemouth University; Daryl Adair, University of Technology Sydney; Jamie Cleland, University of South Australia

The Black Lives Matter movement reminds us that using national anthems at sporting events is often insensitive and whitewashes the prevalence of racism in sport. Decapitated: a statue of Christopher Columbus in Columbus Park in June 2020. CJ Gunther/EPA Columbus statues are coming down – why he is so offensive to Native Americans Sam Hitchmough, University of Bristol The long history of celebrating Christopher Columbus discovering America is being challenged by indigenous voices and perspectives. Mike Egerton, Steve Pasto, Daniel Leal-Olivas / PAn, Tennis has had a golden generation – but not a golden era John William Devine, Swansea University Baseliners are too dominant. A true golden era would see more clashes between different playing styles. Fruit bats. nutsiam/Shutterstock Bats are hosts to a range of viruses but don’t get sick – why? Keith Grehan, University of Leeds Do bats hold the secret to defeating coronaviruses? JOHN TAGGART / BLOOMBERG / POOL/EPA Kanye for president: the dangerous allure of the celebrity politician Natasha Lindstaedt, University of Essex From wrestlers to movie stars, celebrities have risen to some of the highest political offices around the world. What makes them so appealing? Pexels Why going camping could be the answer to your lockdown holiday woes Carol Southall, Staffordshire University Research shows children who go camping do better at school and are healthier and happier. How to help someone you live with who has depression Monika Parkison, University of Reading; Maria Loades, University of Bath If you suspect someone you live with is depressed, follow these guidelines. Supreme Court upholds American Indian treaty promises, orders Oklahoma to follow federal law Kirsten Carlson, Wayne State University Land in what is now eastern Oklahoma, which was granted to the Creek Nation by Congress in 1833, is still under tribal sovereignty, the Supreme Court ruled. Why protesters are fed up with Sudan’s tricky transition David E Kiwuwa, University of Nottingham The people are frustrated with a reform agenda that is unfolding at snail's pace. Assisted dying referendum: why NZ’s law lacks necessary detail to make a fully informed decision Rhona Winnington, Auckland University of Technology Assisted dying is often cast as an issue of individual autonomy, but an assisted death can have repercussions on many people — those left behind or others struggling with a chronic disease. Featured events
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