I guess congratulations are in order for the Lakers who won their 16th title. (At least, I think it's their 16th title. I wouldn't know; I don't follow sports. (Well, I did religiously follow the '92 and '96 US Women's Gymnastics teams, but since some In spite of my usual apathy towards basketball, I did actually route for the Lakers this time. Ever since that day (some time last week) when my PI told me they were in the finals (or playoffs? whatever, who cares) and they lost later on that night, my interest in their trials and tribulations was piqued--partly because I wanted them to win for her sake. But even more so because of a realization that dawned on me: the Lakers HAVE to win. Otherwise, we have no other source of hope or pride for this city.
L.A. has been the butt of many jokes for quite some time. From New York to San Francisco, people relish in looking down on L.A. residents and characterizing us as shallow and fake. Sure we have Hollywood, which is fun and glamorous, but that's the main reason why we're seen as shallow and fake. We may also have good weather, but along with that we have smog, bad traffic, and earthquakes. The only source of pride we could ever hope to find would be in a Lakers championship. Then and only then--for at least a day--people would have to recognize the greatness that is L.A. No one could tell us NOTHING!
Maybe I'm just in a weird mood where my pride needs to feed off of other people's accomplishments. I normally know better, but aye, no one's perfect and everyone has their weaknesses. For whatever reason, I really wanted them to win. (Never mind that I haven't watched a single game.) So when I heard that they did win, at first I felt, well, relieved actually. (After all, they did have a grueling finals/playoffs.) But then my relief soon gave way to fear because the manner in which I learned of their victory wasn't from the news or through word of mouth, but from TRAFFIC!
Between braking for frat brats jaywalking across Gayley chanting "Lakers! Lakers!"; dodging aggressive Crenshaw drivers who sped, honked, and weaved in and out of traffic; and pulling over for sirening police cars and ambulances while Laker flags waved in the background--I got all the news I needed. And I was petrified! I had to dip out of Crenshaw traffic several blocks before my usual turn because I was so scared. There were even fireworks at one a point in the evening.
I guess all this means everyone is happy? I suppose, but I'll never understand why celebrations have to escalate into mayhem and unrest. But because the championship put me in a good (enough) mood, as long as no serious harm is done I'll give everyone a pass this time. I'll even refrain from side-eyeing this ignorant fool right here (although he's really testing my patience with this (inadvertent?) throwback to Jim Crow.)
Everyone gets a pass because with state and local budgets shrinking, government employees getting laid off in droves, and, frankly, nothing else exciting going on here, this Lakers win is all we've got going for us. Clearly!
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Post script: Okay, I take back my pass. Riots are never justified. They weren't justified for the infamous acquittal of police brutality offenders in '92 and they certainly aren't justified now. Damn it we won! What are we lashing out for?
Welp, I guess people can resume their fun-poking at L.A. With nonsense like this (which seems to happen repeatedly in this city), we're practically begging for it.
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