Sexism in Athletics

As one who considers herself a feminist, who is highly critical of the gender roles that mask our society, I was disappointed with myself after today's class.  How have I managed to overlook the much-needed criticism of the sexism of athletics?  While the history of women's rights is taught thoroughly throughout our education in regards to voting and the work force, sports are not touched on as heavily.  

In Not Just a Game, I could not believe the story about the woman who entered the Boston Marathon.  I can't decide if it's more sad that she had to enter the race with a hidden identity or that she was nearly physically pulled from the race by the event director himself, who was yelling "Get out of my race!"

Perhaps the only settling part of the story that gave a bit of hope to the future of women's rights in sports were the men who fought for her to stay in the race.  They threw themselves    at the sexist event director, showing that the race was not about men and women against each other, but rather people simply running a race.  Ahh, there's the sense of hope in it all. Ultimately though, the act gained a great deal of media coverage, which could perhaps be considered part of the beginning of the empowerment for women's rights in professional athletics.

This story is both inspiring and eye-opening. While, I thought I had it all figured out when it comes to feminism, I now have sports to begin criticizing, and so the journey for complete women's empowerment continues.