How does Odessa represent America?

Bissinger paints the decisive victory over the Midland Bulldogs as a nostalgic throwback to middle America in the 1950’s. Permian wins this game 42-0, but what is most impressive is the surreal scene after the game; it is a scene that creates the illusion of America that West Texas football fans conjure up in their dreams. The bands on both teams belt out patriotic tunes: the smell of hot dogs, popcorn, and beer lingers in the air. The teams line up on both sides of the field, their helmets off, looking like young gladiators after a battle. Children, parents, and grandparents stand in awe of this truly American spectacle before them. This brief revision of days gone by is directly related to the politics of the white middle class. The white middle class in Odessa clings to “traditional” American values of hard work, church, minimal government, and racial homogenization.