Based on the response I received from one of my readers, it seems as though it's agreed that women do not need their own separate medium to be able to talk and read sports.
"I agree! Women should not have to read about sports from different media outlets than men. We all know how to read, why should there be a difference?" said University of Cincinnati senior Samantha Foltz.
I feel like this will be a topic that will not only exist for a while, but will become more serious as these outlets gain more attention on a nationwide level. But we have to remember their purpose here. Although it seems as though we have to make separate outlets to be able to write, we make them to promote a group of strong and intelligent women, and to prove that there are plenty of people capable of providing sports news other than men. It's strength in numbers. I have been given an opportunity with G9Sports that may not have been given to me by many mainstream sports media, although this is on a much smaller scale.
You have read my rants and raves this quarter on Empty-netters, ERA, and Estrogen about where women fit in the sports industry and how they can achieve the levels of success that are currently mostly held by men. So I leave you with a few questions; if you are man in this industry, or even if you're not in the industry, what can you do to make this a more level playing field? What actions can be taken to help the cause? I believe men must make just as much up a conscious effort as women, since they are seen as the oppressors in this situation. As a woman, what can we do to help ourselves? Is it a matter of appearance, a matter of knowledge, or a matter of standing up for ourselves and letting the world know we're here? Put yourself in the situation of a woman discriminated against for wanting to do something she knows she is just as capable of doing, as she watches a man do it instead. What would you do?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Allow me to reintroduce myself...
As I mentioned in my last post, I've begun blogging about the Reds at G9Sports.com. I have my first introductory post up, and it would mean so much to me if you all would follow along as I start this new chapter of my writing career!
www.g9sports.com/c-ing-red/
Thanks so much!
www.g9sports.com/c-ing-red/
Thanks so much!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
What if...
... there was a sports media outlet done by women, for women? Am I getting ahead of myself? Not at all, because there is one!
Last fall ESPN's research found that men account for 76% of their viewership. The only programs ESPN airs that tend to attract women are The National Spelling Bee, cheerleading championships, and Wimbledon.
"Women see us as an admirable brand that has authority. But they see us as their father's brand, or husband's brand, or boyfriend's brand. They recognize it's not theirs," said ESPN vice president Laura Gentile.
The plan was to launch a blog written entirely by women, and should it make a splash, it could become its own television channel. I am very privileged to say that I know a few of the women who write for espnW. They are incredibly intelligent and strong women that know just as much if not more about the sports they cover than any man I've ever met.
To promote the idea, espnW held a retreat last fall in southern California. Prominent female athletes such as Jennie Finch and Marion Jones attended, and the retreat helped to generate ideas for the site. The retreat also focused on empowering women with motivation speeches and physical activities. The video below is an inside view of what went on at the retreat.
You can go to espnW.com for yourself, and see what these women have done. It's pretty powerful, and if it amounts to what the creators are anticipating, it could be mainstream in the near future. This new blog site has given many well-educated and well-versed women the opportunity that many places have not. They're not a pretty face on the sideline, or the NFL's "weather girl." They are providing sports analysis and recaps that you would read in Sunday's newspaper.
On February 1st, another site very similar to espnW was launched; G9Sports.com. Julie DiCaro, a Cubs blogger at "A League of Her Own," joined Twitter over a year and a half ago and found many women like herself that received no accolades for the work they did in covering their favorite teams. Though some were professionals, many wrote for small publications or on their own blogs in "obscurity." These women even worked full-time jobs and still managed to find the time to blog about sports solely for their love of the game. The site's namesake is simply a "G" for girls, and "9" from Title IX.
Although the site is extremely new, and there are not writers for all teams yet, the goal is to have a website written entirely by women on every sport and every team. I am very proud to say that I am a part of this community and their resident Cincinnati Reds writer and contributor.
These developments place female sports writers on an easily accessible medium, and can be seen on a much larger scale than if they were to embark on a blogging journey on their own. While it seems like a beautiful and positive thing, many feminists and professionals will argue that it hinders as much as it helps. In the quest for equality for women in the sports industry, the ultimate goal is to be considered on a level playing field with men. By creating sites by women, for women, it has been said that they are segregating or "ghettoizing" female sports writers. It is a valid point, because I know just as much as anyone else, I can go to ESPN.com, pick up a Sports Illustrated, or flip through the sports section of the newspaper to read and comprehend the exact same stories men do. Women do not NEED to have their own version of these already established sports powerhouses to be active viewers and readers in the sports community.
Aside from considering the segregation ideas, we have to face the facts that mainstream sports media does not provide the same opportunities to women. They are predominantly written by men. What better thing to do than launch your own site to show the world and the community that there are all of these women that break the stereotype and be every bit as valuable in sports coverage as men?
I'm really anxious to hear all of your thoughts on the subject!
Last fall ESPN's research found that men account for 76% of their viewership. The only programs ESPN airs that tend to attract women are The National Spelling Bee, cheerleading championships, and Wimbledon.
"Women see us as an admirable brand that has authority. But they see us as their father's brand, or husband's brand, or boyfriend's brand. They recognize it's not theirs," said ESPN vice president Laura Gentile.
The plan was to launch a blog written entirely by women, and should it make a splash, it could become its own television channel. I am very privileged to say that I know a few of the women who write for espnW. They are incredibly intelligent and strong women that know just as much if not more about the sports they cover than any man I've ever met.
To promote the idea, espnW held a retreat last fall in southern California. Prominent female athletes such as Jennie Finch and Marion Jones attended, and the retreat helped to generate ideas for the site. The retreat also focused on empowering women with motivation speeches and physical activities. The video below is an inside view of what went on at the retreat.
You can go to espnW.com for yourself, and see what these women have done. It's pretty powerful, and if it amounts to what the creators are anticipating, it could be mainstream in the near future. This new blog site has given many well-educated and well-versed women the opportunity that many places have not. They're not a pretty face on the sideline, or the NFL's "weather girl." They are providing sports analysis and recaps that you would read in Sunday's newspaper.
On February 1st, another site very similar to espnW was launched; G9Sports.com. Julie DiCaro, a Cubs blogger at "A League of Her Own," joined Twitter over a year and a half ago and found many women like herself that received no accolades for the work they did in covering their favorite teams. Though some were professionals, many wrote for small publications or on their own blogs in "obscurity." These women even worked full-time jobs and still managed to find the time to blog about sports solely for their love of the game. The site's namesake is simply a "G" for girls, and "9" from Title IX.
Although the site is extremely new, and there are not writers for all teams yet, the goal is to have a website written entirely by women on every sport and every team. I am very proud to say that I am a part of this community and their resident Cincinnati Reds writer and contributor.
These developments place female sports writers on an easily accessible medium, and can be seen on a much larger scale than if they were to embark on a blogging journey on their own. While it seems like a beautiful and positive thing, many feminists and professionals will argue that it hinders as much as it helps. In the quest for equality for women in the sports industry, the ultimate goal is to be considered on a level playing field with men. By creating sites by women, for women, it has been said that they are segregating or "ghettoizing" female sports writers. It is a valid point, because I know just as much as anyone else, I can go to ESPN.com, pick up a Sports Illustrated, or flip through the sports section of the newspaper to read and comprehend the exact same stories men do. Women do not NEED to have their own version of these already established sports powerhouses to be active viewers and readers in the sports community.
Aside from considering the segregation ideas, we have to face the facts that mainstream sports media does not provide the same opportunities to women. They are predominantly written by men. What better thing to do than launch your own site to show the world and the community that there are all of these women that break the stereotype and be every bit as valuable in sports coverage as men?
I'm really anxious to hear all of your thoughts on the subject!
Who's At Fault?
Based on the responses I received from the Ines Sainz story, it looks like both parties are to blame here. We have a journalist being absolutely careless about her appearance, or depending on how you look at it, putting plenty of thought into her outfit, to sensationalize a tender subject; to women in the sports industry. We also have professional athletes showing no respect toward women, or keeping in mind that she is a journalist, and whatever they say could end up in the media.
"What she wears should not get her harassed. With that said, she knew what she was doing. She's trying to be the story instead of telling the story which is exactly what's wrong with media coverage today, especially in sports whether it be a man or woman," said Garrett Sabelhaus.
I couldn't agree with him more. This is an issue that spans the entire sports industry. It's about staying in the spotlight and being the story in the media, rather than journalists supplying the story, which is what their job entails.
"I personally think Sainz has definitely knowingly used her body and looks to advance her career. However, the Jets players needed to realize who they were dealing with: a journalist. What you say and do around her is going to get out there — that's her job." - Sam Elliott
"The players need to realize that they were speaking to a journalist and what her job entails. On the other hand, I think a journalist should dress in a "professional" manner." - discoverucpa
Both of the statements agree with the idea that the athletes need to monitor the things that they say. Whether they be flirting, talking about opponents, or anything else, it must be remembered that they are in the presence of a broadcast journalist, and anything they say can be used, whether it be helpful or harmful.
Discoverucpa also makes another great point. We know that Sainz is using her appearance to make the story, but she should have to dress appropriately for a job. I cannot imagine that anyone would wear her outfit of choice to a job interview, and many other places that would be considered a work atmosphere. If she is this concerned about how athletes will respond, she needs to closely manage her appearance.
"It's too bad some "bad apples" have to go and ruin it for everyone (in terms of what Garrett said about being the story as opposed to covering a story)." - Adam
The "bad apples" are what make being a woman in a male-dominated industry so hard. It's difficult to get your foot in the door. When you get that opportunity, you have to give everything you have to not only maintain what you've been given, but to try and earn a spot higher in the ranks. Because it is so rare for women to get the opportunity to be journalists in the public eye, one bad incident can ruin it for everyone. If one sensationalized story like this causes so many issues, it would cause employers to think twice before they hire a woman. It puts the idea in their heads that they could end up in a similar situation if they do so.
"You're right, the whole situation seems fishy. But when it comes to matters of sexual harassment, allegations must be taken seriously. That being said, I think that the way in which an individual dresses and presents themselves should be in accord with the way they expect to be treated. As Gin says, dress professionally. I realize that the sports world isn't a conventional working environment, but that doesn't mean you have free reign to conduct yourself in an inappropriate manner," said Sydney Benter.
Every aspect of this story had to be taken into consideration. The athletes were acting inappropriately, Sainz herself was acting inappropriately, and whether she was harassed or not, her allegations cannot be ignored. When piling it all together, it's a mess of information, but if all parties are more responsible for their actions, or even think about the repercussions before acting out, many of these issues can be prevented.
"What she wears should not get her harassed. With that said, she knew what she was doing. She's trying to be the story instead of telling the story which is exactly what's wrong with media coverage today, especially in sports whether it be a man or woman," said Garrett Sabelhaus.
I couldn't agree with him more. This is an issue that spans the entire sports industry. It's about staying in the spotlight and being the story in the media, rather than journalists supplying the story, which is what their job entails.
"I personally think Sainz has definitely knowingly used her body and looks to advance her career. However, the Jets players needed to realize who they were dealing with: a journalist. What you say and do around her is going to get out there — that's her job." - Sam Elliott
"The players need to realize that they were speaking to a journalist and what her job entails. On the other hand, I think a journalist should dress in a "professional" manner." - discoverucpa
Both of the statements agree with the idea that the athletes need to monitor the things that they say. Whether they be flirting, talking about opponents, or anything else, it must be remembered that they are in the presence of a broadcast journalist, and anything they say can be used, whether it be helpful or harmful.
Discoverucpa also makes another great point. We know that Sainz is using her appearance to make the story, but she should have to dress appropriately for a job. I cannot imagine that anyone would wear her outfit of choice to a job interview, and many other places that would be considered a work atmosphere. If she is this concerned about how athletes will respond, she needs to closely manage her appearance.
"It's too bad some "bad apples" have to go and ruin it for everyone (in terms of what Garrett said about being the story as opposed to covering a story)." - Adam
The "bad apples" are what make being a woman in a male-dominated industry so hard. It's difficult to get your foot in the door. When you get that opportunity, you have to give everything you have to not only maintain what you've been given, but to try and earn a spot higher in the ranks. Because it is so rare for women to get the opportunity to be journalists in the public eye, one bad incident can ruin it for everyone. If one sensationalized story like this causes so many issues, it would cause employers to think twice before they hire a woman. It puts the idea in their heads that they could end up in a similar situation if they do so.
"You're right, the whole situation seems fishy. But when it comes to matters of sexual harassment, allegations must be taken seriously. That being said, I think that the way in which an individual dresses and presents themselves should be in accord with the way they expect to be treated. As Gin says, dress professionally. I realize that the sports world isn't a conventional working environment, but that doesn't mean you have free reign to conduct yourself in an inappropriate manner," said Sydney Benter.
Every aspect of this story had to be taken into consideration. The athletes were acting inappropriately, Sainz herself was acting inappropriately, and whether she was harassed or not, her allegations cannot be ignored. When piling it all together, it's a mess of information, but if all parties are more responsible for their actions, or even think about the repercussions before acting out, many of these issues can be prevented.
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