Be True to Your School(s)

Source: By University of Washington (Athletics Brand Guide) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Loyalty to a hometown sports team is like identifying with a culture. A person remains connected to their roots, even if they move away from home.

I moved to Oregon after living in Pennsylvania and Ohio for 13 years. During that time, a bitter sports rivalry had developed between the University of Washington and the University of Oregon. The University of Washington is my alma mater and the University of Oregon was my new employer.

Could I be true to my school, as the Beach Boys once sang? I quickly learned to stop wearing University of Washington purple to avoid insults in Oregon. I decided to try to blend in and become an Oregon fan. But I was conflicted. My lifelong Washington friends thought I was a traitor.

Similar to my moving to Oregon, people who immigrate from another country experience pressure to adopt the new country’s culture. I hid my Washington loyalty by not wearing purple. But being a person of color from another country is like having a visible tattoo of a rival sports team. Immigrants who are people of color can’t easily hide.

Although they can be bitter, conflicts about sports rivalries are mild compared to cultural conflicts. For immigrants, trying to be an American can cause family conflicts. But trying to preserve cultural traditions can create conflicts with Americans. Research has demonstrated that these cultural conflicts can create mental and physical health problems.

Source: By University Of Oregon [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I have learned to adjust my behavior to the situation. I alternate between being White and Asian American, depending on whom I’m with. I’ve done the same thing with my sports loyalties. I’m a Duck in Oregon and a Husky when I’m in Washington. And being able to alternate between cultures is considered optimal adjustment for immigrants.

The next time you meet an immigrant, put yourself in their shoes. It’s like an Ohio State fan moving to Michigan. Or a Texas fan moving to Oklahoma. Or an Alabama fan moving to Auburn. Or a Stanford fan moving to Berkeley.

So, be kind. Sometimes it’s hard to be true to your school.