MANY readers will be familiar with the mock obituary that was published in The Times newspaper a number of years ago, which began, “Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.”
It was stated that he would “be remembered as having cultivated … valuable lessons” and had “lived by simple, sound financial policies” before it was noted that “His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place” and he “lost the will to live” after legal and financial attacks overtook him.
The mock obituary finished by saying that “Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, I'm A Victim.”
Well may we also declare that Common Sense has died as Common Man has taken to Centre Court. Who is this Common Man? He has been defined in some quarters as “the undistinguished commoner lacking class or rank distinction or special attributes” or as “the everyday, working-class man” or “The average citizen, as contrasted with the social, political or cultural elite”. In truth, though, in sporting terms the Common Man is the man who bellows “Come on!” at various stages of a sporting event. Come On is definitely Common! The words cannot be said quietly, it would appear, but must be roared loudly, lengthily.
It can be said that the Come On Man, while not displaying Come On Sense, is revealing common senses. The cry may reveal excitement, determination, pride, confidence, praise or even anger.
It is usually exclaimed when something good has happened (a goal, try, six, point, victory) in the hope that this magic formula will elicit further successful endeavours. Yet it would appear that if ever it has to be said, or rather shouted, it would be better to exclaim quietly to oneself when things are not going well. It is a cry to try harder, to try something differently, to do better.
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Yet, is there not that old saying (uttered by Common Sense perhaps) that the first sign of madness is talking to yourself (while the second sign is answering, or even worse arguing with, yourself – and the third sign is losing the argument)? Do we really need to shout it out? Does the secretary run down the passage, slide on the floor and shout “Come On!” When she types a letter out accurately? Does the wife punch the air and scream “Come on!” When she produces her husband’s favourite meal to his satisfaction? Come on, give us a break! Let common sense answer that for you.
Common Sense died in school sport when parents sued a Head for not having their child selected for a provincial team. It died when schools began to fan their own reputation based on specific sporting results. It died when coaches played the game for the children by constantly shouting directions throughout the match. It died when parents lost their tempers at the referee's decision. It died when schools bought in star players irrespective of their broader educational needs.
It died when pupils themselves (and coaches, even) began to shout out “Come on!” during matches. And now we find that Common Sense in school sport is in turn survived by his step brothers I Must Be Right, I Won It Always, The Ref Is To Blame, I'm A Victor. We are no better than the 1972 song by Gary Glitter “I’m the Leader of the Gang” with its relentless “Come on, come on, come on, come on”…. Really?
Should we not rather say, come on, let us get a grip with school sport? School sport is not professional sport! Come On sense is only common non-sense. We are seeking to educate and develop youngsters through sport not to be common, average, ordinary. We want them to be more than that. Norman Angell, an English Nobel Peace Prize winner as a lecturer, journalist, author and Member of Parliament, once said that, “The greatest service we can do the common man is to abolish him and make all men uncommon.” Let us rather tell the Come On Man to get off the field. As the philosopher all those years ago, Confucius, declared: “The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.” Common Sense understands that even if Come On man does not. May Common Sense rise from the dead this Easter and lead us by virtue.
Tim Middleton is a former international hockey player and headmaster, currently serving as the Executive Director of the Association of Trust Schools Email: ceo@atschisz.co.zw