One section in particular made me think about the role professional athletes play regarding young kids and their opinions on topics such as gays: "One reason there has been so much attention lately to statements about homosexuality, supportive and derogatory, from prominent male athletes is that they inhabit a stubborn bastion of reductively defined masculinity, and many impressionable kids take their cues from it." It paints the picture that being gay makes that person not manly or have "defined masculinity". I can be open in saying that I am NOT gay, but have no reason to be in opposition of men or women taking part in same-sex marriage. If that is their choice so be it, it is not my business.
However, this article and topic did get me thinking that role models to younger kids, and professional athletes and owners certainly are important to boys in America, should be open in expressing their beliefs and interests, because otherwise it can give the wrong impressions regarding certain issues. Do you think that owners and athletes such as the Pirates' owner Kevin McClatchy is taking steps in the right direction?
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| Yunel Escobar sporting his controversial eye black |
In my younger years, I remember looking up to athletes and television stars and always saying how "One day, I want to be like them". For a professional baseball player to write a gay slur on his eye black is absolutely wrong. It is one thing to oppose homosexuality, but it is another to publicly bash peoples orientation. Athletes need to understand the kind of image they portray to the young population, and in my opinion it needs to be a positive one.
ReplyDeleteClark, Fine job blogging this quarter overall. This post's main source of power is the picture and the hate speech this athlete wears.
ReplyDeleteI think you might analyze the article you link to a little further. You might also see some counter examples Chris Kluwe (the punter) is that his name? How does the issue work across different sports? Is there a similar stigma for women athletes? What is the connection of masculinity that you hint at here? In other words, is the slur a manifestation of competition, the desire to be an alpha male?