A Different Perspective

By Carolyn Zimmer

Member, Board of Directors

As I was contemplating what a non-sports fan could discuss, I came to the realization that poor sportsmanship doesn’t have to be limited to organized professional and amateur sporting events. 

I am not a sports fan.  I don’t play sports, I don’t watch or listen to sports, I don’t attend any sporting events, and when someone starts talking about sports, I try to make a hasty exit from the room.

What do I like?  Reading.  I love physical books, e-books, and audiobooks, which is why I embrace the concept of the Little Free Libraries.  These are small boxes located in front of private homes where books people no longer want are donated and other people “borrow” those books.  But when book bandits come by and take all the books to resell, that is poor sportsmanship.  They are not partaking of the shared experience; instead, they are depriving the community to earn a quick (and miniscule) buck.  This leads people to take drastic measures to prevent this from continuing, such as blacking out the bar code on the back of the book, stamping the book with “Little Free Library, Never Sold, Always Shared”, and installing cameras.  How sad that there needs to be repercussions for book thievery.

Think of the other similar examples that can happen on the front porch or lawn of a home.  There are stories of political signs on lawns that are stolen, vandalized, or even destroyed when cars drive onto lawns to smush them into the ground, all due to differences in political opinion.  Halloween brings about the worst of people when the honor system is used to leave candy outside the door, only to have treats dumped into one person’s bag, leaving nothing for anyone else.

There are undoubtedly more examples of poor sportsmanship that do not involve sports.  Can you think of some?