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Activity & Padlet Screenshots:

Notebook Responses:

What are the implications of bodies-at-risk discourse and the refusal to understand the health gap from a social justice perspective, according to the authors of this article?

The implications of the bodies-at-risk discourse have ranging effects among impoverished people, women, non-white individuals, and those with disabilities. Rather than being given support, these groups are often condemned for not meeting the criteria of being privileged enough to care for themselves easily. The norms and systems of health are rooted in colonial attitudes that have upheld a suppression of marginalized communities, which has extremely negative lasting impacts.

According to the authors Harrison Jr., Azzarito, and Hodge, the deficit thinking that occurs under this discourse reinforces a culture of homogeneity. Society is expected to be all one and the same, rather than complex and dynamic as it truly is. Due to homogeneity, there is a type of discriminatory behavior produced called ‘othering’. It refers to how marginalized people are often singled out and treated as different, for not fitting into the boxes of being white, cis-gendered, and able-bodied. Without directly speaking it aloud, behavior is facilitated that undermines other races and upholds an ideology of whites as superior… all while negatively contributing to the representation and health of others. The lack of studies and acknowledgment of proper context regarding marginalized groups also further impacts them and feeds into ‘othering’ and the grand narratives of race being ignorantly pushed upon society. It is frustrating that marginalized groups are viewed as the problems, especially when the colonization of white people is to blame for causing inequities, stigmas, and generations that have dealt with discrimination.

What is feminism?  What does it mean to you? Choose one of the images below and explain how it captures your understanding of feminism (or find one that does speak to you and paste this into your pressbook with an explanation of why it matters to you. 

Currently, feminism to me is about advocating for social justice among all groups of people. This is why I chose this image from the ones provided, of a man wearing a shirt that reads: “This is what a feminist looks like”. There are misconceptions about feminism, that it is for women and by women. In reality, it is about human rights and social justice for all, which is why I think everyone should feel comfortable identifying it.

When I was a freshman in high school, I still had no idea what feminism really meant. At 14, all I heard was that feminism is about how women want to fight for their rights only, do not care about men whatsoever and are often man-haters/misandrists. I remember saying, “I’m not a feminist because I care about everyone’s rights”. I did eventually learn that this is in fact what feminism is mainly about and that I am a true feminist at heart. In a gender and sexuality class around Grade 10, a teacher made us raise our hands if we identified as feminists. At this point I knew what it actually was, but when I saw the rest of the class keep their hands down I felt shame in putting mine up. I know I have grown because this is something I would have no problem doing now, as a university student with more confidence and education.

This picture made me think of my past revelations about feminism and how strong misconceptions can be. Once they are placed in someone’s head, it takes personal open-mindedness and proper education to re-learn the truth about something. It also takes courage to stand up for the right thing and greater good of other people.

What are the different kinds of feminism the authors outline and how do they connect to sports? 

Liberal Feminism argues that there are not equal opportunities and access for women. This can help us indicate how women are mainly raised within social institutions that expect them to pick up ‘feminine’ hobbies that are more submissive. There is a presumption that aggressive and physically demanding sports are reserved for men.

Radical Feminism argues that women are greatly suppressed due to the patriarchy which has reigning control. Men are the dominant group prioritized and at the utmost privilege. This can connect to sports in terms of how female athletes are viewed as sexual objects for the male gaze and constantly placed in a league beneath men, so to speak.

Marxist Feminism argues that the fundamental issue is that capitalism has reigning control, meanwhile socialist Feminism argues that it has to do with both capitalism and the patriarchy. It is important to consider the role of class and gender, but that is not all encompassing. Social feminism can connect to sports as we consider the roles women play in facilitating sports on behalf of men and children, whether it is paid or unpaid labor.

Black Feminism argues that white feminist studies do not apply to Black women. As mentioned within this module, there is a superiority of whiteness upheld which makes any non-white individual treated as an ‘other’. Because of this, Black women have been silenced from speaking on their experiences of discrimination and are not always heard or taken seriously when they do. This type of feminism can relate to Black female athletes that face unfair treatment, which is not equal to that of their white female peers. For example, the case of Sha’Carri Richardson, which I referenced in one of the Padlet posts.

Poststructuralist feminism does not argue the technicalities that the types of feminism above do. Instead, it has focus on the diversity of people and deconstructing the word ‘woman’ as we know it. In this, work is heavily drawn upon from Michel Foucault and the terms he coined, the ‘docile body’ and ‘disciplined body’. These can be applied to the norms women’s sports, how female athletes are expected to look and therefore discipline their bodies.