In yesterday’s Letters to the Editor, Shawn Miller made a gross generalization about Americans. There are approximately 250 million people in the United States, and I doubt that every single one of them are sports fanatics as Mr. Miller implied.

I am an American, and I enjoy sports, but I do not think the world revolves around sports. For one thing, I don’t see Brett Favre or Dennis Rodman creating new medical procedures, feeding the hungry or teaching the next generation the three Rs. The American economy is strong enough to support professional sports teams and have athletes, not the other way around.

Mr. Miller wrote that “sports are simply more important to us [Americans] than social workers, artists and nurses.” If you don’t think nurses are as important as say, Wayne Gretzky, why don’t you ask him to fix your torn ACL or stitch your wound next time you get hurt!

Also, I do not have “a puzzled look crossing my face” when I’m asked about social workers, nurses and artists. I have a favorite in all three areas, despite your previous allegations about Americans. Margaret Sanger, a nurse and social worker, helped women in the early part of the 20th century obtain birth control which was illegal under the Comstock Law. And, I hope the blinders you are wearing are not so large that you’ve never heard of M.C. Escher or Leonardo da Vinci. I do agree that sports figures can be role models, but they are not the only role models.

Another thing which bothered me was the statement to Timo Seppalainen: “I know you’re from Europe, and I’ll try not to hold that against you.” What the heck does that have to do with the argument?!

Mr. Miller, I’ve traveled abroad and many people over in Europe are just as fanatical about soccer as you may be about football. Location has nothing to do with your argument.

Lastly, I advise you not to lump Americans, or anyone, under any one label — it’s too dangerous, especially for a budding journalist like yourself.

Author William Blake wrote, “To generalize is to be an idiot.” Next time, try to look beyond the end of your own nose and examine more than your own point of view. Maybe then you won’t appear quite so closed-minded.

Emily Woline

Junior

English and secondary education