Nationalism, NASCAR, and Why We Still Measure in Football Fields (Seriously, Why?)
Subtitle: A Cynical, Intelligent Look at Ethnocentrism, Cultural Tunnel Vision, and the Delusions of American Exceptionalism
“It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind.”
—Voltaire
Let’s play a quick game:
What’s the most-watched sporting event in the world?
If you guessed the Super Bowl, congratulations! You’re… painfully American.
But don’t worry—this isn’t a hit piece on the red, white, and blue. This is more of a… mirror. One polished with irony, sarcasm, and just enough love to make sure you’ll still be with me by the end.
Because the truth is: ethnocentrism—that cozy, smug belief that your culture is the best—is the gateway drug to nationalism. And nationalism? Well… that’s how you end up blaming entire groups of people for the economy, education, or your ex-wife’s new boyfriend.
Let’s Start Here: What Even Is Ethnocentrism?
Ethnocentrism is the idea that your way of life, your language, your food, your sports are the default. The gold standard. The only right way. And look, we’ve all been guilty of it. It’s human nature. But if left unchecked, ethnocentrism becomes the foundation for something far more dangerous: nationalism.
And history shows us exactly how nationalism ends. Spoiler alert—it’s not with a group hug and an inspirational speech.
So how do good, well-meaning people get swept up in atrocities?
Simple. They’re told: “It’s not your fault. It’s theirs.”
Them. Over there. Those people. The “different” ones.
They’re taking your jobs. Ruining your values. Poisoning your culture.
And when enough people believe that?
That’s how you get book burnings, ghettos, walls, wars—and worse.
Sound Familiar? Because It Should.
If your gut reaction is to get defensive, pause. Ask yourself:
Where did I learn what I believe?
Was it fact… or just familiar?
Are my preferences my own, or were they handed to me in red-white-and-blue wrapping paper with a “God Bless America” sticker slapped on top?
Because in PSYOP school (that’s Army psychological operations training—not conspiracy theorist bootcamp), we were taught a basic principle:
“Control the story, and you control the people.”
And ethnocentrism? That’s the easiest story to sell.
NASCAR vs. F1: The Cultural Case Study You Didn’t Know You Needed
Let’s break this down using two of the world’s most beloved motorsports:
- Formula 1: Precision engineering, global reach, champagne-soaked podiums, and models that look like they were grown in a luxury greenhouse.
- NASCAR: Tailgates, Bud Light, American flags, “Let’s Go Brandon” shirts, and someone yelling “WOO!” every 8 seconds.
They’re both entertaining. They both require skill. But one is internationally revered, and the other is regionally defended like a chain-smoking bulldog in camo Crocs.
And yet… many Americans still insist NASCAR is “the best racing on the planet.”
Why?
Because it’s ours.
Because we grew up with it.
Because ethnocentrism whispers: “We don’t need the rest of the world to tell us what’s good.”
But… don’t we?
The Olympics and The FIFA World Cup: The Global Reality Check
Ask anyone outside the U.S. what the most important sporting event is, and they’ll look at you like you just asked if water is wet.
The answer is the FIFA World Cup.
Not the Super Bowl. Not March Madness. Not your buddy’s backyard cornhole tournament.
The FIFA World Cup draws over 5 billion viewers. That’s 5 times Earth’s cable subscribers and about 50 times the average American’s geography knowledge.
Even the Olympics, flawed and politicized as they may be, showcase international collaboration. Athletes from countries that were literally bombing each other two years ago shake hands and share a podium.
Isn’t that worth celebrating more than just beating Canada in hockey once every four years?
So Why Do We Cling to Nationalism?
Why do we still chant “USA! USA!” like it’s a personality trait?
Because nationalism is easy.
It feels good.
It gives us certainty in a world that’s spinning faster than our ability to understand it.
It tells us we’re the heroes, and everyone else is an NPC in our grand American video game.
But here’s the catch:
What if we’re not the main character?
What if we’re just another player—sometimes winning, sometimes fumbling, but not immune to error?
That’s a harder pill to swallow.
But it’s also the first step to not becoming the villain in someone else’s story.
America: The Potential vs. The Practice
Now, let me be crystal clear: I love what America could be. The Constitution? Brilliant. The freedom to speak my mind? Unmatched. The chicken sandwich at Popeye’s? Transcendent.
But let’s stop pretending that opportunity automatically means excellence.
- We have more incarcerated citizens than anyone else in the world.
- We rank 35th in education.
- Our healthcare system is so broken that GoFundMe has become a de facto insurance plan.
Does that sound like #1?
You don’t have to hate America to hold it accountable.
You don’t have to renounce patriotism to admit we’ve got work to do.
In fact, if you love this country—you should want it to do better.
So why are we so afraid of change?
Rhetorical Gut Punches (You Knew They Were Coming)
- If America’s the greatest, why don’t we want to learn from countries that are doing things better?
- If we’re so free, why do we imprison more people per capita than North Korea?
- If our culture is so advanced, why are we still arguing over the metric system like it’s witchcraft?
It’s Not Your Fault (But It Is Your Responsibility)
You’re not evil for not knowing this stuff.
You’re not a bad person for loving football, Harley-Davidsons, or NASCAR.
But the moment you know better and still choose ignorance?
That’s when ethnocentrism becomes nationalism.
And that’s when we all start to lose.
Final Thoughts: Let the Ego Go
Being proud of your country is fine.
But blind loyalty isn’t patriotism—it’s indoctrination.
Learn. Listen. Travel.
Root for the U.S. in the Olympics and celebrate the fact that the rest of the world exists.
Watch MotoGP and F1 alongside NASCAR.
Try Celsius for once—you might actually like it.
“Blind patriotism is the greatest threat to truth.”
—Anonymous (because they probably didn’t want to be deported)
“Nationalism is an easy habit to form—especially if you’ve never left your zip code.”
—Also Anonymous (but might’ve had a passport)
“You can’t be the best in the world if you don’t know what the rest of the world is doing.”
—Me, probably
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