There are pros and cons in becoming die-hard supporters of anything or system. I am not much active on Facebook. For the last three months I posted two dictums in addition to posting my column published in The Dispatch.
One of my dictums stated, “Please try not to be die-hard supporters of any thing or system.” It attracted several dozen likes including one dozen positive comments. I thought why not explain myself about that post on Facebook.
In any instance, we become strongly die-hard fans of certain political systems or celebrities or games. The capitol insurrection in the U.S. occurred because of die-hard conservative supporters of the Republican party. For many people, sports are an obsession, and we take sides.
Long back I used to be a die-hard supporter of certain teams, especially the U.S. team, in games. I like watching cricket, tennis, soccer and to some extent football. I also enjoy watching most of the events in the Olympics. In politics too. I realized whenever my supported team lost, I became depressed for a while.
Slowly I tried to rationalize myself. The winning side must be better than the losing team. I begin to appreciate whoever wins but my support is still there, whoever I pick up.
Is it good to be die-hard supporters?
A few headlines from yester years that revealed adventurous journey or fatal incidents such as an Indian cricket fan committing suicide after defeat in Kolkata – Reuters, 2007.
Most recently a die-hard fan traveled 1,200 kilometers by bicycle to meet MS Dhoni, a former Indian cricket captain. – Times of India.
A fan of the Indian cricket team named Jyothi Kumar Yadav died of a heart attack when India was defeated by Australia in the 2023 World Cup.
Similar incidents of heart related deaths happened after the Super Bowl involving Los Angeles teams in 2009. Researchers also found that the death rates from heart attacks and ischemic heart disease increased in 1980 after the Rams lost the championship match with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After reading this information, my dear Dispatch readers, are you going to be a di-hard supporter of your football team?
Another very important aspect of die-hard or fanatical (extreme state of die-hard) followers of influential cult leaders, which we have witnessed in the past starting with Charles Mason, Jim
Jones, David Koresh, Bhagwan Rajneesh, and others. Many cults used to spread radicalized beliefs having a direct link with God.
Because of Jim Jones, more than 900 followers committed suicide at Jonestown Commune in Guyana in 1978. Could you believe it? These fanatic people lost their rationality of judgment.
How about politics? I have been living in the U.S. for about 25 years. Once I became a citizen, I didn’t miss any voting event for presidential candidates, including our Mississippi local elections. Once again, I am not a die-hard supporter of any political party.
Think about what happened when die-hard supporters of the Republican Party attacked the capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Five police officers died. Since then, political violence between two opposing supporters started increasing in the U.S.
Politics in third-world countries is even messier. Violence or revenge is a regular occurrence there. Whenever a government changes, no matter what political party, death of political die-hard supporters would take place.
As opposed to die-hard supporters, I prefer leaning toward moderate support from everyone. We all need to live with a peaceful mind and a happy mood.
Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, teaches chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences at Mississippi University for Women. He writes occasional column in the Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, teaches chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences at Mississippi University for Women. His email address is [email protected].
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
