I am appalled and offended by Michael A. Lev’s obnoxious account of snowboarding (Tribune, Feb. 12). I was initially motivated to read the article because I hoped to find an unbiased, fact-based description of the controversial events surrounding Ross Rebagliati of the Canadian snowboarding team. What I found was a whining editorial that did nothing other than demean snowboarding and its participants.
Mr. Lev asks, “Are these Olympians or surly teenagers?” If these are the only two choices, one is compelled to choose the lesser of two evils and say “surly teenagers.” Terje Haakonsen refused to participate in the Olympics because the events undermine fun by stressing competition. Snowboarding is about having fun. I’ve never seen anyone happier after wiping out on a halfpipe and losing a competition than snowboarders. The values they bring with them to the Olympics should be welcomed, not maligned and suppressed. It seems Mr. Lev wrote his article with a lack of understanding of the dynamics of the subculture. This can be seen when he misinterprets Trevor Andrew’s sunglasses as an enlarged ego. It could also be interpreted as a symbol of individuality, but with Mr. Lev the glass is obviously half-empty. With this is mind, it’s no wonder the article overtly supports the opinion that snowboarding is “an adolescent phase.”
I am sorely disappointed by Mr. Lev’s article because it reinforces the concept that people are prone to shunning others who exhibit different values and ideas from the group.
