6 thoughts on “How African is the World Cup?

  1. I watch TDS somewhat regularly, and I have to say that this was the most succinct and effective “side story” they’ve had that I can recall. Hit the nail right on the head, and raises questions on how effective the locale of an international event can be at relaying the identity of a people if the event is placed within a Pasteurized bubble of homogeneous globalized culture.

  2. There are tourist bubbles being reported throughout South Africa. The fact that Oliver is the only ‘reporter’ I have seen in a shebeen speaks volumes despite the production.

  3. The fact that Oliver is the only ‘reporter’ I have seen in a shebeen speaks volumes despite the production.

    I quite liked the shot of him ducking in through the fence. But I would guess that South African bureaucracy and business interests have to be pretty pleased with the world media up to this point. So far the country has come across as possessing a modern, well-administered infrastructure and security forces capable of ensuring the safety of visiting foreigners. That has to look pretty nice to potential investors overseas. And isn’t that the through line of this and the next World Cup as well as the previous Summer Olympics?

    (It is not my intention to come across as a complete cynic about the event. As someone who really enjoys sports—and just finished watching a wonderful match between the ROK and Uruguay!—I appreciated Oliver’s piece in every way. He managed to point out both the hilarity that is the notion that the Saints winning the Super Bowl somehow makes up for Katrina as well as the fact that there is authentic joy in sport. You so rarely see someone able to articulate an honest critique and a sincere appreciation in the same breath.)

  4. Honest critique?hit the nail right on the head? am I the only one who DIDN’T miss this gem:
    “And what’s more AFRICAN than the subjugation of black people?”
    and found it nauseating?
    I have to wonder if you have to be not just an anthropologist but a brown-skinned (or black, or anything off-white) one to see this as less-than-funny and in fact downright offensive?

  5. I have to wonder if you have to be not just an anthropologist but a brown-skinned (or black, or anything off-white) one to see this as less-than-funny and in fact downright offensive?

    You don’t have to be an anthropologist at all to see essentializing as downright Schutzstaffel.

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