Fourth of July

The similarities to the Fourth of July in the US to the Boca Juniors game revealed the stark contrast to our primary sense of nationalism compared to their identity to their team. The game servedd as the illustrsation of the "the epicentre of national sporting ulture and served to shape identities and meanging for Argentines" found in Soccer & Society (Gaffney 164). The community of the game, eating asado/dinner before hand, the decorations on cars or throughout the neighborhood, as well as the friendly exchanges between fans headed to the stadium, whether they were friends or not, all reminded me of the community that takes place surrounding the Fourth. There was even their version of hot dogs being sold! There are meals shared between family and friends, decorations, and greetings to strangers recognizing the holiday in the US. The variety of sizes, versions, and constant display of the Boca club flag reminded me of the inundation of flags in the US, wherever you are, on the Fourth. The distinct blue and gold was on necklaces, faces, clothes, hats, and accessories. Red, white and blue on cookies, hats, crazy sunglasses, sparklers, and beads cannot be escaped for almost the whole week leading up to the Fourth. The songs of the Boca Juniors can be compared to the various patriotic anthems heard on boats, decks, and radios in the US on the Fourth. The most obvious connection between the two forms of identity was in the incredible display of fire works before the game began. It most closely resembles the most notorious past time of the Fourth, watching the fire works. All of these factors I observed at the game kept bringing the fourth of July to the forefront of my mind because of the similarities. The exhuberance and vibrant experience (Gaffney 160) described to be found at a soccer game can also be found in the United States on the fourth of July. Though there are differences in magnitude of many factors, including the celebration through colors, accessories, song, and cheers in support of central institution, people express their identity more universally than I initially understood. It is only what they identify themselves most closely with that changes.