'Located just down the street from Kabul's glitziest mall, is The Strikers, the country's first bowling alley and owner Meena Rahmani's gamble on the capital's newest entertainment venue. But more than a place for family fun in a city largely devoid of options, the 12-lane center stands as a reflection of both the country's hope for the future and the challenge of securing one even as NATO's fight against the Taliban enters its 11th year." (USA Today)
You may know the story. Meena Rahmani has opened a bowling alley, Strikers, in Kabul, Afghanistan. I just might be the most optimistic venture on the planet. Never mind the war zone, drones and ied's. This is a game, for men and women smack in the septum of the heart of darkness. Right under, or up the noses of Islamic Fundamentalists so conservative they make Sarah Palin look like the Good Witch of the North. Men and women playing together? Sharing shoes and balls? Keeping score - and the women might even win? And you know guys, they will throw that ball just a little bit harder every time a woman fist pumps a strike.
Optimistic enterprise? What else to call it? Meena has bet a wad of cash on the healing power of a game. And I think she is on to something. From school yards to prisons games are a way of defusing enmity and anger. A chance to channel negative energy into a positive outcome through the pure joy of competition. Oh sure it doesn't always work out. But anyone who has ever competed knows the feeling of mutual though grudging respect when the contest is over.
You may know the story. Meena Rahmani has opened a bowling alley, Strikers, in Kabul, Afghanistan. I just might be the most optimistic venture on the planet. Never mind the war zone, drones and ied's. This is a game, for men and women smack in the septum of the heart of darkness. Right under, or up the noses of Islamic Fundamentalists so conservative they make Sarah Palin look like the Good Witch of the North. Men and women playing together? Sharing shoes and balls? Keeping score - and the women might even win? And you know guys, they will throw that ball just a little bit harder every time a woman fist pumps a strike.
Optimistic enterprise? What else to call it? Meena has bet a wad of cash on the healing power of a game. And I think she is on to something. From school yards to prisons games are a way of defusing enmity and anger. A chance to channel negative energy into a positive outcome through the pure joy of competition. Oh sure it doesn't always work out. But anyone who has ever competed knows the feeling of mutual though grudging respect when the contest is over.
The nihilist might, or perhaps must, disagree with such a Panglossian outlook. Rightly pointing out the violence associated with sport, the dog eat cat world of capitalist competition and the daily race for resources that does not always bring out the best in the human beast. Yes Yes that's all true, but each example of nihilistic pessimism can be countered with a rosy story and a happy ending.
So what's a bowling optimist to do? Well I say the next time you encounter an angry fundamentalist or pessimistic nihilist just ask, "wanna play?". You may find "...the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
That's all I have for now.
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