Introduction
Millions of people attend or tune into the Super Bowl every year, as this is one of the biggest social occasions in the USA. It is a true blend of athleticism, entertainment, and teamwork. While the whole city was celebrating the Super Bowl victory of the Kansas City Chiefs, there was a tragic incident that occurred, claiming one life and causing severe injuries to many others (The New York Times, 2024). The point of this paper is to look at the question: What has made the Super Bowl great, and whether it leads to killings like in Kansas City? It is also essential to study the social and cultural effects and changes in community ties while looking into this issue. As a cultural phenomenon deeply embedded in American society, the Super Bowl fosters community bonding and celebration. Yet, its influence on behaviour and dynamics can exacerbate underlying tensions, as evidenced by the tragic shooting in Kansas City.
The Super Bowl as a Cultural Phenomenon
The Super Bowl has transformed from just a sports event to a cultural phenomenon that is now the all-American way of life. It binds people from all social groups to one another through mutual engagement in a competitive environment full of emotions (Dubinsky, 2022). Along with the game, the event has an exciting halftime, advertisements that leave you gaping, and after parties so that everyone enjoys themselves the whole day. Besides that, the Super Bowl brings people together and promotes civic pride, especially in the cities where the teams play for or represent. The community develops a stronger sense of bonding as the event draws near, encouraging the neighbouring members to know each other better and connect. Parades, rallies, and other events such as these forge strong communities and result in an overflowing of joy and happiness among people. The Super Bowl does not only bring happiness to people, but the darker side of this celebration is that it may amplify other societal issues like the alarming rate of gun violence and the shortcomings of existing gun control laws. The shooting in Kansas City is a wake-up call of how bad things can be, even when it seems that everything is normal. The Super Bowl or other noteworthy events could affect the quality of life in neighbourhoods and underline that systemic issues require long-term solutions.
The Super Bowl and its Influence on Behavior
While some fans resort to violence during the Super Bowl, the event itself is not responsible for the violence. Nevertheless, the large crowds and the high emotions can aggravate community problems. Masses inebriated, emotional, and engaged in a particular event are more prone to arguing and fighting. Furthermore, the fact that so many media outlets are covering the Super Bowl can create a situation where people feeling left out or angry about the events are even more angry or frustrated. This sense of being alone could push people to extreme measures like violence or aggression as they try to attract attention or speak out when there is a commotion on the occasion. The tragedy in Kansas City was unrelated to the Super Bowl, but it started as a fight between two people (Knutson, 2024). However, the crowds and heightened feelings may have only worsened the situation, and consequently, the tragedy happened. There is a possibility that the Super Bowl is not the direct cause of these kinds of problems in these relationships. Still, it can make the existing emotions in these relationships appear.
In summary, the Super Bowl is a unique aspect of American culture. Being one of the main signs of unity, joy, and spirit in a community, it plays a vital role in holding the community together. Nevertheless, the Kansas City shootings and the events that followed reveal the complexity of such situations when a cultural celebration and social problems happen to coincide. The Super Bowl may not trigger crime, but it could affect how people behave and treat each other. As we turn our attention to how big the Super Bowl was, we should remember that events like these affect people profoundly and take measures to ensure that everyone is safe and well. We might be able to preserve the essence of the Super Bowl, which is social bonding and fun, as long as we try to lower the risks of tragedies like the shooting that took place in Kansas City, Missouri, by addressing the root problems and making a more inclusive environment.
References
Dubinsky, Y. (2022). Country image, cultural diplomacy, and sports during the COVID-19 pandemic: Brand America and Super Bowl LV. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, 19(3), 249–265. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41254-021-00257-9
Knutson, J. (2024, February 14). What to know about mass shooting near Kansas City Super Bowl parade. Axios; Axios. https://www.axios.com/2024/02/14/kansas-city-superbowl-parade-shooting
The New York Times. (2024, February 24). The Kansas City Super Bowl Parade Shooting: What We Know. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/article/kansas-city-parade-shooting.html
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