Playing Unfair: The Media Portrayals of Female Athletes
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Crunk Feminist Collective Refereeing Serena: Racism, Anger, and U.S. (Women’s) Tennis
A great article that sheds light on how the institution of pro-sports (in this case, pro-tennis) reflects the racist, sexist views of society. Gender and race are extremely important things to take note of when it comes to sports.
What really strikes a cord with me with this article is not only that whenever people of color do exceptionally well in sports, its almost always written off as some magical, voo-doo natual athleticism - as oppose to strategy or anything above mere “primitive, raw strength.” [and can we just let it be known that there is no scientific proof that I hear that attributes race to sheer athletic ability. No, black people don’t have extra bones or muscles…]
But in addition, lets look at how black women are demeaned in these areas. Hypermasculine & unattractive? Because we don’t fall in line with white perceptions of femininity that demand dainty-ness and fragility? Black women just don’t even have a right to femininity - lets just liken the Williams sisters to angry black men and call it a day.
I was talking to someone about sexism in sports and how the worst thing a coach can say is “you’re playing like a girl” “you throw like a girl” to boys and she said that was fine and started talking about how men are physically stronger, and women can never beat men at sports, and therefore we are always unequal to men … how do I respond to things like that?
- Anonymous
Sports is an institution. An Institution that perpetuates gender inequality on a systemic level. The interesting thing about sports is that there are a lot of rules and mandates in female leagues that inhibit ability that the male counterpart doesn’t have to worry about. For instance, the WNBA ball HAS to be a certain size significantly smaller than the NBA ball. The womens lacrosse team at my school talked about the fact that their gear is built intentionally smaller, and less powerful then mens lacrosse gear. Some of these regulations may have been necessary when they were implemented, i don’t know, i’m not a … sports scholar or anything. But is someone legitimately thinks that generalized physical brute of a gender force excuses gender inequalities, I wouldn’t waste my time arguing with that person. When we talk about equality, human rights, and justice, there’s no footnote that says “well, unless they can;t win an arm wrestling competition!”
