Okay...I can't say it time enough that sexism really gets me upset & the fact it is condoned over and over.....Granted I am lucky to live in America, considering in other parts of the world, women have less rights by far. However, this is the land of opportunity and many things are changing, but by far, if a girl or woman wants to play a sport, especially a male dominated sport, whoa! We have a problem.
A 12 year old girl played on her school's football team last year, but for some reason she is not being allowed to play this year. She has the support of her teammates, but her Christian private school now is kicking her off the team, citing the boys will have "unpure thoughts." Give me a break! If so, wouldn't the boys have faith in God and the morals to not have those thoughts? And I'd say its a definite disadvantage if your team has their head not in the game. Uh during gametime the focus is FOOTBALL!
The school is ridiculous, and frankly just another reason why I'm not very religious, although I'm very spiritual. I have found that most religions do not speak highly of women, and if you are a single woman you are alienated since you do not have a family. I have faith in God, and live the Golden Rule, but this deeply saddens me and I don't think God or Jesus would care if she goes out in uniform and plays football!
If someone was to say, she can't play because she is (insert race) then we'd have a major uproar. However, sexism is condoned and it is going to be a tough fight. However, her mother has started a facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/LetHerPlay
Please support Maddy and her fight to get what any kid should be able to do. Have the opportunity to play. She shouldn't have to go to another school, but be able to play on the team that she played on LAST YEAR! (start this clip at 1:15 )
I was discriminated as a girl, and have deal with issues over the years. Recently, I almost threw a left hook in the jaw of a substitute kindergarten teacher for her sexist comment to a kindergartener. (I walked away, but I swear smoke was coming from my ears!)
The sub was letting the kindergarteners in the room and she said, "I need a muscle man to hold the door." (ok that wasn't what bothered me, I'm not a feminist) Then a little girl said, "I'll hold the door for you." Her reply, "Oh no, you can't, you are a girl!" What the hell!? It took all my strength to not knock her down and say, "That's how a girl hits." but I didn't want to lose my job or terrify the lil' kids, granted I think the lil' girl would have enjoyed seeing power of a woman. Now this sexist comment will have an effect on this child and her class. It shows the boys that women are the weaker sex, and for the lil' girl it tells her she is weak and not good enough. If that teacher would have said, "You can't because you are (race)." She would have been fired.
I should have said something, and I would have if it was a regular teacher, and I did tell my boss. I'm just devastated to hear that crap. I have to correct a lot of female teachers and some men all the time. Someone will ask for two strong boys....and I say..."uh two strong students?" I do what I can, but more of us need to speak up.
Now I'm definitely not much of a feminist. If a female police officer or firefighter can't lift 200 lbs. then they probably should be doing the job. Granted I know quite a few women that can lift over 300 lbs. Click the link below....Kristen Clever is 5 foot 2, 131 pounds and she can deadlift 360 lbs!
http://games.crossfit.com/athlete/36734
Anyway, please support Maddy and like her facebook page. She deserves to play!!
Ladies, never let anyone tell you, you can't do something.....Yes you will have to work hard to get what you want, but never give up the fight!!!
“Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness,heart, talent, guts. That's what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice.”
― Bethany Hamilton
