In the article called “ Changing the Cultural Landscape” written by Claudia Guedes, it is stated that the first soccer game to ever be played in Brazil was between two groups that both came from the Rio de Janeiro Light and Gas Company and the São Paulo Railway. The game itself was put in place by Charles Miller. Miller was born in Brazil, his mother bening Brazilian while his father was Scottish. This whole phenomenon is spoken about in an article called “The Early Evolution of Modern Sport In Latin America,” written by J.A. Manjan. This article is primarily focused in Argentina, but the idea that he presents I believe can be seen in other places as well. In this article he states that the English saw Agentia as a “cultural umbilical cord.” This means that during this era of colonization the English would share many of their own traditions with them such as foot ball (soccer), in order to make them feel more at home.
This story and phenomenon was something that I found really interesting and as History Education Major I feel that it should be talked about a bit more. My reasoning for this is that soccer is a major part of not only Brazil’s culture but really for South America as a whole. So why would we not at least mention a story like this in a World History class to show just impactful colonization, and also to explain how many of these cultures actually did spread. I mean let’s face the facts during this time colonization was really meant for slavery, or maybe different forms of it. Therefore I think it speaks even more on the cultural of many South of American countries of not only being able to withstand harsh conditions and treatment, but to come away with something that you are best known for, that being soccer, really speaks for the toughness and grittiness of their culture as well.
