Mircale: A time when America needed one

The major social context surrounding this game I believe is that the Soviet Union and the United States of America were once allies in Word War 1 and World War 2 and were then enemies for the this period of time. Nuclear weaponry was introduce during WWII and during the Cold War if there had not been some major negotiating by U.S. President Ronald Regan the world may have seen its first nuclear war. Other major issues to understand about the time are that the U.S. was heading into a recession. This meant goods such as gasoline were inflated and unemployment was high so Americans were living during a time when things were unstable, not knowing where the U.S. stood on their relations with the Soviet Union and many not knowing if they would be able to provide necessities for their families.

There is a specific scene in the movie where the team doctor and the assistant coach are getting gas. The movie depicts there being high gas prices and people protesting those prices, also over the radio they here about certain things happening during the Cold War. I cannot remember the entire scene but I specifically remember that assistant coach tell doc that the USA hockey team can give the country something to cheer about or be proud about so this is showing a great connection of during turmoil people may turn to sports for stability in the world.
I do not follow hockey intensively, yes I know who wins the Stanley Cup every year and I know that during this time frame the Russians dominated the sport of Hockey globally but this movie is not really about hockey it is about nationalism and how one can stand by their country and be proud to be an American. I had mentioned in class that one time every four years I watch swimming. I would probably watch more if it was televised but the Olympics are a big deal and what Michael Phelps did was truly sensational and I was indeed happy for him and proud that he was from our country. There were two distinct points that I felt a since of pride to be from America during the movie. When the team is doing sprints after a loss and then a team member finally says he is from USA. It kind of showed that if they were going to win the gold medal they were going to have to do it together and then with the outside circumstances of the Cold War and recession that is how America was going to press on as well by sticking together and becoming one. The other instance was the speech that Herb gave to the team right before playing the Russians. It just totally set the scene for a dramatic finish but also just showed how much that game actually meant to USA as a country the whole nation was ready to stand behind them and cheer them on to victory.
I would say that my feelings are not similar to the Palestinians act in during the Munich Olympics because truly I would be dishearten and upset that somebody from my country that I love and standby would choose to take people’s lives because they wanted to change certain circumstances that were in my opinion out of their control. I have always wanted USA to be represented as the free country that we are and that everyone is accepted and treated equal. So I would have a hard time if Americans were to pull a move like the Palestinians did if it was not for the greater good.