Last week, the Top Manta union organized a race against racism, the first to be held in Barcelona. It was a huge success, and many people ran the five kilometers of this sporting event, which was intended to be, in reality, "a great popular mobilization against racism." It was a joy to see the people participating in the initiative, because it is gratifying to see that the fight against racism unites a considerable number of consciences, and, in this case, of legs. So nothing against it. On the contrary. In its favor. But I would like to reflect, if time allows, on this trend, which has been around for some time but which I feel is on the rise, of making different kinds of demands through races. Of running. Of race numbers. Of competitiveness. Of kilometers. Of the finish line.
I understand that, given the prevailing values and for health reasons, a race that demands an effort, however small, is always more favored than a popular butifarrada (sausage sausage). Both proposals can attract attention because the goal is to bring together a lot of people for a purpose, but making certain demands with butifarras can be considered not the most politically correct. Veganism, for example. The race, understood as a metaphor that indicates the rush to solve urgent social issues and the desire to reach the finish line as soon as possible. Or simply presented as a more recreational option, with registrations and T-shirt sales providing an excuse to make a donation that helps organizations continue working on their cause. Or the race as a proposal that resonates more than a demonstration, or a call to action for the public, wearing shorts and sweating, that surpasses the most boring informational talk. Or the race as a way for people to come together and feel less alone in the cause. Or more accompanied, which isn't exactly the same thing.
Races are held to raise funds to advance research into childhood cancer, to raise awareness about breast or pancreatic cancer, to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation for transplants, for autism research, or for people with severe intellectual disabilities. Races are held to support various NGOs or organizations. Whatever the reason, the fact is that, in Barcelona alone, around fifty races are planned for the city's streets this year. Not all of them have a vindictive nature and simply, which is also fine, they limit themselves to an organized invitation to people who like to run for the sole challenge of doing so, on a Sunday morning, with the streets conveniently blocked off by the Guardia Urbana (Urban Guard) and the air a little less polluted than what they usually breathe when healthy isn't for Diagonal, which is already the best.
With all these races, I wonder if enough emphasis is placed on awareness and if all the rush we put into our legs is also put into our heads. Of course, running against racism isn't the same as running to raise awareness about the importance of breast cancer prevention. Racism hurts a lot, but it's not a disease; it's a perverse ideology that fosters hatred among human beings. And when the organizers of the fight against racism are the people from the Top Manta union and they choose the race mode, it makes perfect sense, because they spend their ordinary day. As for the rest, I have my doubts. But maybe I just don't get into running.
