I'm currently watching the Women's Olympic Hockey Gold Medal game between Canada and the United States, and I've had to put the television on mute several times. The announcers are so condescending towards women that it is excruciating for me to listen to, as a woman and as a hockey player. They continue to refer to the American players as "American ladies" rather than just "Americans." On more than one occasion, they've described the oldest player on the American team, Jenny Potter as, "Jenny Potter, mother of two." Why can't the players simply be referred to as "Americans?" Would the announcers, Mike Emrick and Pierre McGuire ever say, "Oh, the Canadian MEN are doing a real great job out there"? Nope. Would they ever think of uttering the phrase, "Sidney Crosby, single and looking, on a breakaway!"? I don't think so. Then why is it necessary to identify these hockey players unnecessarily as women when they would never do it for men? One of the announcers even threw out a fun fact: Erika Lawler on the American team loves to get her team pumped up by dancing to "Single Ladies" by Beyonce before the game. Does anyone really care what Zach Parise does to get ready for a game? Then once again, why is it relevant to this particular game?
Can't these women be recognized as hockey players and as athletes, without having people ooh and ahh over how good they are at hockey, considering they're women -- because after all, how could a woman ever be awesome at a "man's game," right? It totally detracts from their talent, ability and hard work. I'm sitting here watching it with my roommates, felt compelled to put my thoughts on the blog because these women (Canadian and American) have worked so hard to get to the gold medal game for the past year -- and they have been reduced to nothing but being called, "American (or Canadian) ladies." Why can't they just be hockey players for the 60 minutes they're in the game, without the announcers patronizing them for being women who play hockey.
-A frustrated Canadian "lady" goaltender
Your "single and looking comment" made me laugh out loud. Great thoughts -- thanks so much for sharing. Watching, I also found myself curious about the use of women vs. lady: ladies figure skating, women's downhill skiing, etc. The extent to which most sports remain the purview of men is definitely noticeable in the broadcasting. On a related note, reactions to the press/"investigation" into the Canadian women's after-game celebration? Would the men's team have drawn the same fire for smoking cigars and drinking beer? It's hard to say for sure, but interesting to consider!
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point and that’s something I probably wouldn’t have been as inclined to notice before taking this class! As I was reading your comments my thoughts went to the Women’s World Cup (soccer) where I remember a lot of commentary once surrounded the fact that one of the players had two very young children – the announcers for a time really emphasized it because of how being pregnant and being a mom made training so difficult. At the same time it really is odd how it doesn’t go both ways, for in the Superbowl after the Saints won the camera focused for a while on Drew Brees and his baby boy with the commentators saying what a great moment it was to share between father and son, yet they neglected to mention how recently his son was born and how that might have impacted his training. I guess it goes to show how as much as we think we are breaking out of the old woman in the home stereotypes the assumption is still that women raise the kids and the dads be the breadwinners.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is because I am a female athlete, but I also am constantly noticing people, including sports announcers, differentiating female athletes from male athletes. But not in a good way. It is in a way that almost belittles women. I agree with Lisa, the way that the announcers describe women, would never be used to describe men. Unfortunately, women are not recognized for their athletic talent like men are. I think it's safe to say that most people know what men's basketball team won the NCAA, but do they know what women's team won?
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad you shared this. I do not think I would have noticed this distinction even with our class. I think you are absolutely right though. By calling attention to female qualities and especially sexual experiences and family the announcers are discrediting these women. They are not focusing on what is really going on, they are not giving them the credit they deserve. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Now more than ever I'm going to be on the look out!
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