Rhino’s Ramblings - Let Them Play Some Basketball

By Robert Thomas Opinion/Commentary

There are times in your life when you are reminded about things that have gone by.

For some strange reason the past is on display in the present, in the strangers of ways.

In 1977 Canadian rock icon Jerry Doucette released not only his biggest hit but also his signature song “Mama Let Them Play.”

It was a 45 RPM record about rock and rebellion with the message to all the kids to have their own heroes.

As I stood there on Main Street in Moose Jaw I couldn’t help but think of the music the Douce pumped out.

Or rather, I couldn’t but help think how the lyrics from the Douce with some work could very well be adapted to a bunch of high school kids just wanting to play basketball.

I caught myself thinking back to being a 16 year old punk kid hanging out backstage with a buddy in Medicine Hat 44 years ago. It’s so long ago but I remember the night.

I just had to adapt the lyrics but keep the tune….

Samantha let those kids play some basketball,

Politics is just too crazy they can play it when they’re old,

They’re too young for the news they’re still breaking in some new basketball shoes,

They’re just babies

Give those kids some freedom let them move around

Don’t get in their way you’ll only bring them down

Samantha why don’t you let them play some basketball

Yeah

Let them play some basketball

Let them play some basketball

Let them play some basketball

Oh yeah

Well right

Come on now then

Mr Moe let those kids play some basketball

Politics is just too crazy they can play it when they’re old,

They’re too young for the news they’re still breaking in some new basketball shoes,

They’re just babies

Give those kids some freedom let them move around

Don’t get in their way you’ll only bring them down

Mr Moe why don’t you let them play some basketball

Yeah

Let them play some basketball

Let them play some basketball

Let them play some basketball

When I think about the players who came out yesterday and are off to Regina today to rally at the Legislature I think about what basketball should be teaching them.

It’s not about bouncing a ball up and down a court.

It’s not about rebounding.

It’s not about putting a ball into hoop to score points.

But rather its something bigger than that. It’s about building character.

It’s all about working together as a team, and no matter how bleak it looks to never give up and just keep trying.

Many people have told me the kids are the real victims and the losers in all of this, but in some ways they’re not.

In reality, they’re just targets of a political game that they want no part of and are doing their best to get by.

Politics shouldn’t be about holding innocent hostages by either side of an issue politics should be about doing the right thing.

Here’s hoping that in the hardened bunker mentality that exists between the provincial government and the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation dissolves and they start thinking what they are really there for.

Start thinking about the kids, and for God’s sake do the right thing and let them play some basketball.

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