I have the day off and spent the morning enjoying small things, like taking our daughter to school, saying hello to her Principal and teachers, and an unhurried cup of coffee while reading the printed version of Brookfield Now. Later, I have a lunch date with our third-grade son. I will cherish this, as it could well be the last year he views Dad coming to school as something cool.
Now before I get into the subject matter of this article, I have some disclaimers.
I love sports - always have. I love them as a participant and as a spectator, and was fortunate enough to have a solid, if not spectacular athletic experience in High School. I remain as physically active as my schedule allows, and coach youth sports every other year. Our kids enjoy their sports teams, and I state the obvious by recognizing athletics can be an integral part of a young person's physical, psychological, and emotional development.
But I was struck by something while reading NOW that indicates we are out of balance.
On page sixteen there is a brief (less than one hundred words) article noting the fact that the Brookfield East High School Forensics Team will be performing at the Elm Grove Public Library, on Thursday February 7th, at 7 PM. I am glad that the editors of Brookfield Now highlighted this noteworthy event.
But later, beginning on page thirty, we are treated to six full pages of coverage for local sports and athletics, replete with four large pictures, two of which are in color.
I don't begrudge the coverage on sports. But it is a commentary when the reigning Wisconsin State Champions in Forensics merit a photo-less blurb, compared to what our sports obsessed culture serves up for athletics.
As mentioned earlier, last year the Spartan Forensics team brought home the State Championship Trophy. Compare the coverage that team got with what we see when a local sports team plays a regular season game, much less wins a State Title.
I have seen several students of BOTH High School Forensics Teams speak in public, and comport themselves with dignity and articulation. These programs instill skills and attitudes in the kids that will last a lifetime, long after muscle and bone and reflexes are unable to do what they once did.
This isn't a criticism of Brookfield NOW, for it only serves what the market wants.
But maybe it's time we start giving some equal time to such achievements, and in so doing, getting back into balance.
