In previous articles we explored how the introduction of English soccer opened the door to education and health services in the parts of South America. We also looked at how British colonists in South America would use it to maintain a sense of their nationality and connection to home. Finally we also examined how this led to the intertwining of two completely diverse cultures in both civic ways and religion. But as all good things do, this coexistment came to a screeching halt.
The prologue and chapters 1 and 2 of the book “From Beauty to Duty,” really explores these issues. It really begins as to how Uruguay viewed soccer as a way to make themselves distinct and different when compared to their “big brothers,” Argentina and Brazil. The way that they believed they could do so was by making soccer a part of their national identity, in which they would have to change it to be a more native sport. This idea and belief was really what started this culture conflict between the people of Uruguay and outsiders that were the British. The conflict would only continue to grow as a string of uprisings began to take place in the 1900’s.
I really found these chapters and seeing the timeline of a sport that once brought two cultures together become a hostile battleground really interesting because of how it relates to modern times. Really seeing how nationality and how these two cultures collided really brought me a better understanding of why many of these rivalries can be so hostile. It was also really interesting to find something that I could really relate to in regards to highschool rivalries. Like when you see your rival’s name on the schedule for that week, it’s basically a “hate week” for them, but once it’s over your back to being friends and shaking hands.
