The Lost Art of Fist-Pumping

It's been a while since I've really witnessed a good "fist-pump," which is one of the most quintessential celebratory actions man has ever created. When one accomplishes a victory, whether it is over another being or merely over one's self, thrusting that fist up into the air just feels so good. And it doesn't just feel good, it looks good. It means something. It's that upper cut to the atmosphere that says "Right now, at this moment, I'm the best."

But where has that gone? Why don't people pump their fists anymore? I got on to thinking about this because of an article I read in the Washington Post about last night's State of the Union Address. The article ended talking about President Bush's praise of some Good Samaritans at the end of his speech. "Everybody on the floor rose, in unison this time, and Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) punched a fist in the air." I just envisioned Senator Bunning in this strange euphoric slow-motion fist-pump that embodied everything the man was feeling at that exact point in time. He meant it, and he deserved to use it.

Perhaps the best use of the fist pump in the last century was at the end of the "Breakfast Club." While the movie itself may not be that great (except for the incredibly long dance montage), it ends on a fantastic note: A fist pump, a freeze frame, and a crazy letter. Crazy letters aside, I would love to see more films end this way. It sends the audience out on a good note, while spreading the popularity of the fist-pump. Just imagine James Bond or Harrison Ford in "Air Force One" doing a fist-pump at the end. The movies would end on such a positive note that no one could deny their excellence.

In today's culture, the fist-pump has been cast as a move only made by dorks, geeks, and the like. Only people far removed from current acceptable behavior actually practice the fist-pump, and it's a darn shame. Who does the fist-pump the most right now on TV? Dwight on "The Office." Not a good role model for a move that is incredibly cool and powerful. Perhaps this is because the culture as a whole frowns on excessive gloating, specifically that which reminds people of violence. But if you think of the fist-pump more along the lines of someone holding up a non-existent flag, rather than someone trying to punch the Sun, it becomes a bit more acceptable.

It's a show of triumph, originating from gladiators... and maybe one of the Apostles ("Jesus is risen!" *Fist pump!*) I just hate to see something that fantastic fall to the wayside, or fall into the stereotypes of geekdom. We need to bring it back, and Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky has already started the ball rolling!