Build community differently

Another thoughtful column (Feb. 1) by Paul Turner, as always, about our regional enthusiasm for professional football.

Contrarian view: Professional sports fandom is a psychosis searching for something better. That something is a more secure grounding in a regional human identity that is separate from sports, Las Vegas joy, whatever.

Go Hawks. Those athletes deserve our respect and appreciation.

But professional sports fandom is pretty thin on ethical and moral dimensions; things communities increasingly need. A region could choose to emphasize a different impulse and a different narrative for itself to reflect upon. Are there any other commonalities?

Food is a common enough topic. Please understand, discussions about food are not limited to food; it is more about sustainable businesses. In fact, local food production conversation is more about providing hope and security for a community than mere delicious sustenance.

The Inland Northwest is seriously engaged in this endeavor. Many wonderful people work and meet frequently everywhere about this. There are many success stories.

Community building has been called an infinite game to distinguish it from competitive sports. You approach it differently, and wins and losses are judged by different metrics. And the clock never runs out because we have kids.

Terry Lawhead

Spokane