A city can come together in a lot of ways. Unfortunately, we often wait for something bad to happen before we are moved. Sometimes, people can find more positive reasons to rally. I have been watching the crowd funding page for the Seattle Pergola repair tick upwards all day long, mostly $12 at a time. The pergola was damaged by some rowdy fans after the Seahawks won the Superbowl. Ordinary people stepping up just to help with something that really isn't their responsibility or problem, except that it's exactly their responsibility and problem. That's the thing about taxes, community and coming together - it is exactly the sum of the parts and the people. A city, a community is only as good as each person pitching in. I don't know when helping out in your community via paying your taxes became a 4 letter word, but today I am seeing voluntary taxation for the greater good, and it feels so very good.
Mike made an entire case through a project in school about how sports creates community. I could see his point, but didn't really feel his point. Yes, thousands of people come together all the time to participate in a common activity, in a way not really seen elsewhere. Folks sitting by each other at games for 20 years become friends and care about each other. Giant community BBQ's happen weekly. But I, like many fair-weather fans have never really locked into the emotion and the community that is found in sports. Well, as I have watched the Seahawks play for a few years now with Mike, I now get it. Community. Emotion. An open invitation. The greater good. And I guess all these people giving some cash in the spirit of victory and community responsibility feel it too. Why not sports?
