Olympichaos

This is a piece I wrote during all the Olympic hype (2008 retrospective??). It's a different spin on all the Olympic hoopla. Feel me??
Tommie Smith & John Carlos


It's hard not to get caught up,
locked in, trapped, snared and entrapped
in this capitalistic athletic system
pseudo patriotism via Olympic games, gold medal names and the like.
Psyched out by nationalistic competitiveness cuz "We're better than the rest!" - I mean,
I just respect their talent...
But who are you rooting against
and what does that mean? When the ends aren't justified
just vilified
Like "China's cruel to their athletes"
But what about us?
Well, if I'd known that American gymnasts were prone to eating disorders
sorta like Versace says
I never woulda pre-ordered cheers before preteens and their peers
hit the mats like that's
how it's supposed to be.
Really?
Child abuse illegal until it means fulfilling golden dreams
of coaches and the U.S. Olympic Committee.
That's filthy.
Media says it's us against them
U.S. against friends-TO-BE,
only if China acts appropriately,
support our imperialistic tendencies and we can be cool...
after closing ceremonies.
It has a hint of red scare if you ask me.
But if you'd asked me I'd ask for more Tommie (Smith)
and Dr. John Carlos
and less Lebron, Kobe and Michael Phelps.
Ayo, they got skills!
But what did their accomplishments fulfill
and what about their Kodak stills?
In 40 yrs. will they send chills down the backs or future revolutionaries?
or will they just be
where-are-they-now's?
I refuse to marry myself with the idea that those were the days and the future is now,
How could that be when athletes of today are compared with heroes of the past?
Jesse Owens and Jim Thorpe were ways past fast,
they were above and beyond the track and field
Field research and support for laborers unskilled,
the working poor, and the disenfranchised - community activists.
and this was back before gold toothed cats
on black entertainment television.
Back then it was black face, sit in the back unless you got snaps or musical stylings.
So who's the bigger hero?
Calling kids with talent heroes because they brought home gold,
But we can't get a Cesar Chavez holiday...when that's what he's owed.
Got everybody and their homeboys jumping through Olympic hoops,
Saying AMEN to Bob Costas' sermons and YES SIRin' the anthem
like the federal reserve isn't holding your money ransom.
And not to be too random,
But are All competitors in All events really athletes?
That's just a question burning - like some of their feats.
But you know what?
I'm not afraid to root for brothers and sisters
coming from countries where world banks won't let them be.
Cuz it's sorta like a "How ya like me now?"
to the whole establishment, system and anyhow...
How bout strictly competitive nature
versus nurturing a strictly competitive nature of the beast?
At least, we have the NBA, NFL and MLB - wait.
Nevermind.