An outrageous man plays his game and changes things
Julie Beach
Dennis Rodman demanded attention in his basketball career using at the time unconventional tattoos, piercings and wild, wild hair.
He even went so far as to wear a wedding dress to a book signing.
The man is intentionally outrageous and appears to bask in any limelight.
He is still demanding attention but taking a different avenue.
This avenue has the potential to pave the way and open doors to friendly basketball games with North Korea.
Rodman hopes to have help from former NBA players such as his previous Chicago teammate Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone to train a North Korean team with plans for 2 exhibition games in January.
The first one being on Kim Jong Un’s birthday on the 8th with another to follow two days later.
Not only will this team be trained for friendly games with the United States but also for the 2016 Olympics.
Since growing up in the Vietnam era, I have been witness to decades of unrest and violence between North Korea and America.
There has been recent dissention with North Korea as well.
Now here comes this outrageous man using what he knows best to reach across boundaries in an effort to bring understanding and communication to an otherwise tumultuous relationship.
This simple act has far reaching capabilities to ease tensions.
So when I hear those that criticize with statements about this being a Rodman gimmick or he’s doing it for the money I have to say, what makes the difference?
Any time that two strangers can sit down, look at each other in the face while working out difficulties and ironing out differences everyone wins.
It appears to me that we as a human race have a great deal of trouble learning about others and looking at what we have in common rather than fighting about our differences.
We all want basically the same things namely a warm bed at night, food in our belly, shelter from the storm and a safe environment for ourselves and people we love.
I personally am very grateful to Dennis Rodman for taking the initiative to reach beyond unrest and use basketball to turn an adversary into a potential ally.
He has also renewed my belief that one person can make a difference.
