Maria Taylor, a Miami-Dade County judge, is one of the most popular sports columnists in the country. Born in Miami, Maria has covered many topics not only in the sports world but also in local dining, culture, travel, women, etc. For many people who love to read, her insightful articles on everything Miami-Dade County has to offer are worth the read. In fact, one of her most recent articles, titled “How to Be a Nationality,” is a must read for anyone who loves the sports and enjoys discussing those teams. In this article, she discusses being a nationality by nationality, as well as sports by sport, and what that means to the people who follow them. The judge also talks about being a citizen by culture and even nationality, while making some interesting generalizations about being a good judge.
According to the judge, “a nationality is the best way to describe a person because it encompasses a way of life and characteristics. For example, an American judge could be considered a national but not a native because he or she practices with an accent.” However, the judge didn’t stop there, as she continues, “an American judge wouldn’t be able to call herself a Brazilian if she went to Brazil and ate Brazilian food. Thus, nationality is more about habits, rather than bloodlines.”
While I agree with most of what the judge says (I am originally from Ohio, which is not technically part of the United States), I completely disagree with her last statement. While I do not mind being called a national (as long as I get my beer out of the waiter and everyone knows I’m from Cleveland, Ohio), I do not think that being categorized as a nationality automatically makes you better at sports reporting. You see, I believe that judge is incorrect in her belief that “the height and nationalities” are characteristics of a judge, a sport judge, or a sportswriter.