Documentary Reflection “The Two Escobars”

Documentary Reflection: “The Two Escobars”

Sports, including soccer, play vital roles in promoting wellbeing and improvement of living standards of people. Accordingly, the documentary elaborates on how citizens of a nation called Colombia in South America, led relatively better lives following the dramatic growth and development of soccer. Precisely, soccer, and probably other sporting events, could results in a significant reduction of poverty while increasing a sense of self-worth among citizens of a country. Moreover, impressive performance and excellence in sports could make patriotic citizens more proud of their nation. Since it is almost always expectable for humans to associate themselves with successful individuals, Colombians could not hide their satisfaction and joy while showing high levels of patriotism. As such, each football player and other concerned persons, especially those who realize substantial benefits from a sporting event would demonstrate a high degree of unity as they strive to ensure that their team continues with their excellent performance. A struggle for a common goal could encourage all the involved and interested parties to act in unison by disregarding their diversities in particular aspects such as culture, ethnicity or religion. In Colombia, for instance, Presidential cabinet, coaches, and players exhibited reasonable commitment, devotion and support for soccer to encourage more unity, pride and sense of self-worth (Zimbalist & Zimbalist, 2010). Unfortunately, deviant behaviours could discourage national unity, pride and self-worth by facilitating undesired practices that may include murder and money laundering. Therefore, excellent performance in soccer, and possibly other sporting events, would promote national unity, a sense of self-worth and pride among citizens of a given country when persons with deviant behaviours are contained.

Moreover, persons who engage in money laundering and drug trafficking could draw massive revenue that is used to gain more political power and support from communities that constitute beneficiaries of the practices (Desroches, 2003). As such, it would be difficult for the concerned authorities to address the deviant social behaviour because of the enormous support from society. Likewise, drug “lords” in Colombia were “selectively ignored” since they had strong backing from their communities. Catastrophic consequences that may include civil conflicts and killings could emerge if such types of individuals are incarcerated or punished for their deviant acts. For instance, the death of Pablo Escobar resulted in social disorder and disintegration of national unity. Subsequently, hatred and conflicts that led to the death of Andreas Escobar developed. Therefore, it could be impossible to dissociate Colombia’s social issues with its soccer because the sporting event relied primarily on support from persons with deviant behaviours. That is, Colombia’s soccer could not thrive if not for the presence of the drug “lords” that provided financial support as well as the development of necessary infrastructure. Hence, a social problem could act as a strong basis for promoting sporting events.

While this documentary focuses on drug trafficking and money laundering in soccer, racism is another social issue that has prevailed through the sport of football (Cleland & Cashmore, 2014). Specifically, some players from the minority ethnic groups, Asians and the Blacks have encountered instances of racism. Unfortunately, racism attracts undesired impacts that include lack of motivation among players. As a result, some players could opt to leave the playing fields while those who continue playing may perform poorly. Subsequently, the varied social issues have adversely impacted on the image of soccer. Some parties that could otherwise be interested in football may feel discouraged and perceive that this is not a suitable sporting event. Hence, soccer may not develop well if such social issues are not addressed adequately.     

Reference

Cleland, J., & Cashmore, E. (2014). Fans, racism and British football in the twenty-first Century: the existence of a ‘colour-blind’ideology. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 40(4), 638-654.

Desroches, F. J. (2003). 10 Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime in Canada: A Study of High-Level Drug Networks. Critical reflections on transnational organized crime, money laundering and corruption, 237.

Zimbalist & Zimbalist (2010). The Two Escobars. ESPN, Incorporated.