How did football affect the culture in Odessa?
Odessa, Texas was settled in the 1880’s in hopes of turning into a destination town. The land was a dessert and was useless to farm or raise livestock. It wasn’t until the discovery of oil and gas deposits, that Odessa became a boom or bust oil economy. A “boom or bust” economy is the process of economic expansion and contraction that occurs repeatedly. The rise and fall of oil production within Odessa’s economy impacts family structure, the educational system and community stability. The author often references the importance that the community of Odessa puts on high school football. All the stresses of the depressed oil industry economy are placed on the shoulders of the Permian football team, …show more content…
He has exceeded many racial roadblocks that occur to less talented colored people in Odessa. Because of his excelled athletic ability and learning disability, Boobie was able to avoid college board exams, and passed all of his high school classes even though he could only read at a fifth grade level. Boobie had been prospect to play college level football since his junior year of high school, but during an early season scrimmage Boobie suffers a knee injury and can no longer play. L.V. Boobies uncle knew the only respect the colored person could get in Odessa was through football success. After his injury, Boobies chance for greatness was gone. The author explains that the racism throughout Odessa was acted upon from both white and colored races, although the racism towards whites was not nearly as bad as other races. With racism and strong stereotypes existing in Odessa, the town is unable to function. All positions of high power were filled by white conservatives, therefore minority groups held no power within the town. If a colored parson attempted to become involved in the politics of Odessea, it resulted in immediate backlash from the white
Odessa, Texas was settled in the 1880’s in hopes of turning into a destination town. The land was a dessert and was useless to farm or raise livestock. It wasn’t until the discovery of oil and gas deposits, that Odessa became a boom or bust oil economy. A “boom or bust” economy is the process of economic expansion and contraction that occurs repeatedly. The rise and fall of oil production within Odessa’s economy impacts family structure, the educational system and community stability. The author often references the importance that the community of Odessa puts on high school football. All the stresses of the depressed oil industry economy are placed on the shoulders of the Permian football team, …show more content…
He has exceeded many racial roadblocks that occur to less talented colored people in Odessa. Because of his excelled athletic ability and learning disability, Boobie was able to avoid college board exams, and passed all of his high school classes even though he could only read at a fifth grade level. Boobie had been prospect to play college level football since his junior year of high school, but during an early season scrimmage Boobie suffers a knee injury and can no longer play. L.V. Boobies uncle knew the only respect the colored person could get in Odessa was through football success. After his injury, Boobies chance for greatness was gone. The author explains that the racism throughout Odessa was acted upon from both white and colored races, although the racism towards whites was not nearly as bad as other races. With racism and strong stereotypes existing in Odessa, the town is unable to function. All positions of high power were filled by white conservatives, therefore minority groups held no power within the town. If a colored parson attempted to become involved in the politics of Odessea, it resulted in immediate backlash from the white