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Elite Eight - Elite One
There is very little for Memphians to agree on as we are divided along economic, racial and educational lines. I’ve often wondered, in the wake of national tragedies, how we will handle ourselves when our inevitable earthquake hits – will we come together as New York did after 9/11 or will we 
embarrass ourselves the way many in New Orleans did? We’ve been tested in smaller ways in the past, such as the days following Dr. King’s assassination, every local Election Day, and every day that we have a two government system here. But then there are days and weeks such as we’ve had recently. The University of Memphis basketball team has done what no politician, no pastor and no well-meaning parent has been able to do, it has pulled this city, and the region, together for one common cause. I’ve seen it every day in the tobacco shop as conversations inevitably fall to the Tigers and their last win or their next opponent or to our collective lack of respect – not just as a basketball team, but as a city on the national scene – in the national media. Instead of people bidding each other to “Have a nice day” we are leaving friends and strangers alike with a hearty “Go Tigers!” And it may be the first time in a long time that we’re all Memphians. I’ve heard residents of places as far away as Bartlett, Cordova and even Germantown talking with pride about this city. Even people in other counties are wearing blue. As The Commercial Appeal works to section off the community into pockets more easily distinguishable by income and advertising possibilities, and even as these communities’ leaders scare their residents with wicked tales of city schools and services, the U of M Tigers are pulling us together as brothers, as a team, if you will. So tonight, when our Tigers take on UCLA in the Elite Eight and in their continued run to the national championship, remember that we are all behind them, as Memphians, as one. Go Tigers!
Posted by Richard Alley at March 25, 2006 01:19 PM
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