This piece, by Donna Daniels showcases the limitations and how society perceives the new women athletes of color in regards to participation in sports. Daniels focuses heavily on Venus and Serna Williams and how the media perceives them. With the athletic market for women rapidly expanding, society has come to recognize women as consumers. This is evident by the emergence of professional leagues, and recent sporting events. The sporting world has accepted women as consumers and athletes. With that being said the sporting woman has become a marketed and marketing figure.
The actual appearance of an athlete can sometimes be over looked. Looking the part is half the battle. Daniels makes a controversial statement in this article that I don't necessarily agree with stating that, "Black athletes are often celebrated in terms of a brute physicality and innate athleticism that denies the role of intelligence in athletic success" (Daniels, 2000). I can understand where she is coming from with this statement, but in recent years with the emergence of athletes like Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter, and Tiger Woods who all display amazing intelligence in their own respectfully sport I don't know how much I agree with this statement. America has a lot to learn about African American women, and it is evident by the remarks of commentators such as, "Why do they wear their hair that way?" (Daniels, 2000). It is just a part of culture that white sportscasters often don't understand. Nonetheless as year’s progress and sports and the black woman evolves, the world will become more adapt to the culture.
The actual appearance of an athlete can sometimes be over looked. Looking the part is half the battle. Daniels makes a controversial statement in this article that I don't necessarily agree with stating that, "Black athletes are often celebrated in terms of a brute physicality and innate athleticism that denies the role of intelligence in athletic success" (Daniels, 2000). I can understand where she is coming from with this statement, but in recent years with the emergence of athletes like Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter, and Tiger Woods who all display amazing intelligence in their own respectfully sport I don't know how much I agree with this statement. America has a lot to learn about African American women, and it is evident by the remarks of commentators such as, "Why do they wear their hair that way?" (Daniels, 2000). It is just a part of culture that white sportscasters often don't understand. Nonetheless as year’s progress and sports and the black woman evolves, the world will become more adapt to the culture.
1 comment:
We will be talking about this article more in class in the next few weeks, so I hope you will share some of the things that you wrote in your blog about this article. I have followed the media coverage of the Williams sisters quite closely and can vouch for some of the things that Daniels said in this article. It is not unusual for commentators (mostly white) to comment on the physicality and athleticism of Venus and Serena, instead of noting their mental toughness. I don't know if you are aware of what happened with Venus and Serena at Indian Wells in 2001, but there was an incident where Serena was booed mercilessly (through no fault of her own) and she managed to come through it and win the match. It was the most courageous athletic victory I have ever seen in just about any sport, and it proved to me how mentally tough Serena is. Yet, that rarely gets mentioned. We will definitely discuss this further in class. I'm glad you shared your perspectives on this article.
Post a Comment