Out Of Left Field Chapter Summary
In chapter 4 Out of Left Field, G. Abdel-Shehid and N. Kalman-Lamb discussed C.L.R James perception of sport. C.I.R. James wrote a book called “Beyond a Boundary” where he argued that magnificent athletic achievements have cultural value equal to the finest performance of the ballet or opera, although the concept of sport unfortunately never receive greater attention as art. As well, James explained that sport is not ideology used for the benefits of those in power, nor is it a distraction; however, the art of sport is a trait within every individual.
James did not agree with other Marxist that sport was an ideology that distracted workers from the real problems they were facing including poverty, exploitation, and low wages. Nor did he believed
that it was used by those in power to regulate or control citizens. Rather, for James the opposite was true; the people themselves demanding to play these sports. For children or adults playing a game of basketball during their free time or making room in their busy schedule is not to regulate them or to distract them, rather they play simply from the love and enjoyment that they receive playing that sport. James explains that during the industrial revolution in the 1800s, it did not change the virtually natural human need for art. Furthermore, James noted that soccer and cricket started in England and spread like a wildfire across the British colonies and beyond which has not been seen in centuries before. He argued that art, or representation, allowed a society to make sense of itself. Thus, James states that sport has been significant in Ancient Greece and it continues to be a significant part of humanity which the cultural phenomenon cannot be dismissed.
James believed that the fascination for sport was a trait fundamental to our existence as humans, a trait was the quest for beauty or beautiful things. In order to define trait, James used terms such as “aesthetic refinement”, “the line”, and “the curve”. All of these terms explain the stroke used by artists to create art. James claims everyone has aesthetic refinement from all societies and from historically. He states “the use of sculpture and design among primitive peoples indicates that the significance of the form (or aesthetic refinement) is a common possession. Children have it” (Abdel-Shehid & Kalman-Lamb, 2011, p. 26). In addition, James add that sport offer something that art forms like sculptures, poetry, or painting do not, which is the pleasure of constant re-creation. In sport, that line or the curve that has historically defined art is not only present, but manifest itself differently each time a game is played. If an individual goes to the museum, they would see the same artwork; however every sport game is different each time.
James perception of sport was much different than other Marxists in his time, he did not believe that sport was a method of distraction or a way to control people; however it was the passion and love for art within sport which made individuals perceive the beauty of it. To help support his claim that sport was not just something that manipulates people, he uses examples from the Ancient Greece era where sport had been significantly valued and continued into the 1800s industrial revolution, as well as today. James continues to explain the significance of the line or form in sport which is a trait that every individual possess. Sport overall in James’ perspective is something which should continuously be valued for the art of it, and not for commercially use.
James did not agree with other Marxist that sport was an ideology that distracted workers from the real problems they were facing including poverty, exploitation, and low wages. Nor did he believed
that it was used by those in power to regulate or control citizens. Rather, for James the opposite was true; the people themselves demanding to play these sports. For children or adults playing a game of basketball during their free time or making room in their busy schedule is not to regulate them or to distract them, rather they play simply from the love and enjoyment that they receive playing that sport. James explains that during the industrial revolution in the 1800s, it did not change the virtually natural human need for art. Furthermore, James noted that soccer and cricket started in England and spread like a wildfire across the British colonies and beyond which has not been seen in centuries before. He argued that art, or representation, allowed a society to make sense of itself. Thus, James states that sport has been significant in Ancient Greece and it continues to be a significant part of humanity which the cultural phenomenon cannot be dismissed.
James believed that the fascination for sport was a trait fundamental to our existence as humans, a trait was the quest for beauty or beautiful things. In order to define trait, James used terms such as “aesthetic refinement”, “the line”, and “the curve”. All of these terms explain the stroke used by artists to create art. James claims everyone has aesthetic refinement from all societies and from historically. He states “the use of sculpture and design among primitive peoples indicates that the significance of the form (or aesthetic refinement) is a common possession. Children have it” (Abdel-Shehid & Kalman-Lamb, 2011, p. 26). In addition, James add that sport offer something that art forms like sculptures, poetry, or painting do not, which is the pleasure of constant re-creation. In sport, that line or the curve that has historically defined art is not only present, but manifest itself differently each time a game is played. If an individual goes to the museum, they would see the same artwork; however every sport game is different each time.
James perception of sport was much different than other Marxists in his time, he did not believe that sport was a method of distraction or a way to control people; however it was the passion and love for art within sport which made individuals perceive the beauty of it. To help support his claim that sport was not just something that manipulates people, he uses examples from the Ancient Greece era where sport had been significantly valued and continued into the 1800s industrial revolution, as well as today. James continues to explain the significance of the line or form in sport which is a trait that every individual possess. Sport overall in James’ perspective is something which should continuously be valued for the art of it, and not for commercially use.