TABLE OF CONTENTS
U.S. Society & Values

Welcome
From the Editors

REFLECTIONS: WHY WE PLAY THE GAME
By Roger Rosenblatt

In the undercurrents of sports, one can feel America.

GAMES FOR THE WHOLE WORLD
By David Goldiner

American sports have captured the imagination of athletes and fans around the globe.

WOMEN IN SPORTS
By Claire Smith

New attitudes and opportunities over the last 30 years have brought a dramatic change for girls and women participating in American sports.

VICTORIES BY AND FOR THE DISABLED
By Susan Greenwald

Americans with disabilities can participate in recreational and competitive sports, thanks to new laws and changing perspectives.

PRIDE ON THE PRAIRIE
By Chuck Offenburger

Residents of communities in the American heartland coalesce around high school sports, such as high school girls' basketball in Iowa.

REFLECTIONS: URBAN `HOOP'
By John Edgar Wideman

An excerpt from an author's memoir shows how basketball can be a metaphor for the national experience and a lesson for life.

HUNGER ON HOLD
By Tony Baranek

Muslim high school athletes find empathy, respect, and bonding with their non-Muslim teammates when the fast of Ramadan intersects with the athletic season.

SPORTS AND ECONOMICS
A Conversation with Andrew Zimbalist

Sports, a relatively small component of the U.S. economy, have distinct economic properties.

FIFTY YEARS, FIFTY STATES

America's leading sports periodical celebrates its 50th anniversary by describing the wide range of athletic pursuits in the United States.

BY THE NUMBERS

A statistical snapshot of the American sports scene.

WIT AND WISDOM

Memorable expressions and observations from those closest to the games.

SPORTS AT THE MOVIES

A short list of some of the most noteworthy films about sports.

SPORTS TALK

Examples of how sports have enriched the English language.

REFLECTIONS: A FEW KIND WORDS FOR LOSING
By Joseph Epstein

The agony of defeat may be more deeply etched into one's consciousness than is the thrill of victory.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INTERNET SITES

U.S. Society & Values

An electronic journal of the Department of State

Volume 8, Number 1, December 2003

The Bureau of International Information Programs of the U.S. Department of State provides products and services that explain U.S. policies and U.S. society and values to foreign audiences. The Bureau publishes five electronic journals that examine major issues facing the United States and the international community, as well as information about life in America. The journals – Economic Perspectives, Global Issues, Issues of Democracy, U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda, and U.S. Society and Values – provide statements of U.S. policy together with analysis, commentary, and background information in their thematic areas. All issues appear in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish language versions, and selected issues also appear in Arabic and Russian. English-language issues are published at approximately one-month intervals. Translated versions normally follow the English original by two to four weeks. The opinions expressed in the journals do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. government. The U.S. Department of State assumes no responsibility for the content and continued accessibility of Internet sites linked to herein; such responsibility resides solely with the publishers of those sites. Articles may be reproduced and translated outside the United States unless the articles carry explicit copyright restrictions on such use. Potential users of credited photos are obliged to clear such use with the indicated source. Current or back issues of the journals, and the roster of upcoming journals, can be found on the Bureau of International Information Programs' web page at http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/journals.htm. They are available in several electronic formats to facilitate viewing on-line, transferring, downloading, and printing. Comments are welcome at your local U.S. Embassy or at the editorial offices: Editor, U..S. Society & Values Society and Values Team – IIP/T/SV U.S. Department of State 301 4th Street SW Washington, D.C. 20547 United States of America ejvalues@pd.state.gov

Managing Editor Michael J. Bandler; Associate Editor Steven Lauterbach; Editor Neil Klopfenstein; Associate Editors, Reference/Research Mary Ann V. Gamble, Kathy Spiegel; Art Director/DesignerThaddeus A. Miksinski, Jr.; Photo Editor Joann Stern.

Publisher Judith S. Siegel; Executive Editor Guy E. Olson; Production Manager Christian Larson; Assistant Production Manager Sylvia Scott.

Editorial Board: George Clack, Kathleen R. Davis, Francis B. Ward.