10 Chapter Five: Accessing Sport
Rebecca Redfearn
Section one: The fundamentals
A)
Exercise 1: Notebook Prompt
Many of you are likely familiar with the concept of “ability inequity,” which the authors of this article define as “an unjust or unfair (a) ‘distribution of access to and protection from abilities generated through human interventions’ or (b) ‘judgment of abilities intrinsic to biological structures such as the human body’.”
However, they go on to identify the following “ability concepts” that are less familiar:
1) ability security (one is able to live a decent life with whatever set of abilities one has)
2) ability identity security (to be able to be at ease with ones abilities)
How prevalent are these forms of security among disabled people you know? Or, if you identify as a disabled person, would you say your social surroundings and community foster and support these kinds of security? Furthermore, while the focus of the article is on Kinesiology programs, it is also important to reflect on how academia in general accommodates for disability. If you feel comfortable answering this question, what has been your experience of postsecondary education to date?
-OR-
The authors also observe that “Ableism not only intersects with other forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, ageism, and classism, but abilities are often used to justify such negative ‘isms’.”
What do you think this means? Provide an example.
| Ableism in this quote is suggested to not only be connected to the various forms of oppression (racism, sexism, ageism, and classism) while also being used as a way to justify the actions of society.
For example, women have historically been denied rights such as voting, leadership positions, jobs, or even bodily autonomy based off the incorrect belief that women are “emotional” or “physically weak” when compared to men. This form of belief is not only sexist but also ableist. This is also found in racial ideologies throughout history with the justification for slavery or cultural desolation (ie. concentration camps or residential schools) due to groups being deemed “inferior”. This means that the the rational behind the various forms of oppression not only relates to but has been rationalized by ableism. |
Exercise 2: Implicit Bias Test
Did anything surprise you about the results of the test? Please share if you’re comfortable OR comment on the usefulness of these kinds of tests more generally.
| This test surprised me as the overall result showed that there was a consistency throughout the results. This surprised me because although I try my best to be impartial there are always areas to improve. The results of this study provided a sense of confirmation that I am relatively impartial and look beyond the exterior presentation of individuals.
|
B) Keywords
Exercise 3:
Add the keyword you contributed to padlet and briefly (50 words max) explain its importance to you.
| Crip Theory
This is important to me as it is apart of my own life experiences. By the increase in awareness and belief in oneself there has been the opportunity for growth. |
B) On Disability
Exercise 4: Complete the Activities
Exercise 5: Notebook Prompt
What do Fitzgerald and Long identify as barriers to inclusion and how might these apply to sport in particular?
| Fitzgerald and Long identify that inclusion has barriers such as cultural, structural, and personal. These barriers can apply to sport as they highlight the marginalization of groups when attempting to engage in sports. |
C) Inclusion, Integration, Separation
Exercise 6: Complete the Activities
Exercise 7: Notebook Prompt
Choose ONE of the three questions Fitzgerald and Long argue disability sport needs to address and record your thoughts in your Notebook.
- Should sport be grouped by ability or disability?
- Is sport for participation or competition?
- Should sport competitions be integrated?
| 2. Is sport for participation or competition
Sport can be utilized for both competition and participation, it is reliant on the individuals personal desire for what they get out of sport. Some people use sport as a way to stay active, keep moving, socialize, and enjoy life, while others may use it for money, fame, passion, or improve skill. I think sport should be whatever makes the person playing happy, there have been accounts where competition has caused the less desirable traits in individuals to come to like, such as the Tonya Harding incident or Charlotte Dujardin scandal where top athletes who work hard to get to the level they are at until they get lost in competition and lose the heart and spirit of the sport. However this isn’t the case for most and those who continue to inspire and play in the spirit of the game make competition worth it. |
Part Two: Making Connections
A) Gender, Sport and Disability
Exercise 8: Complete the Activity
The paradox that sportswomen habitually face (as the authors observe, this isn’t confined to disabled sportswomen) involves the expectation they will be successful in a ‘masculine’ environment while complying with femininity norms in order to be recognized as a woman.
True or false?
Take a moment to reflect on this paradox below (optional).
| True, this paradox is existent today due to the history of sport and competition focusing on masculinity. More recently, women athletes have been expected to show feats of strength, aggression, and competitiveness in order to succeed, yet when they display these traits they are labeled as unfit for the game, unsportsmanlike, or crazy. Additionally, they are expected to display traditional feminine qualities of sport where they must appear graceful, attractive, or modest. Sports like rugby or weightlifting do not conform with the traditional values of women in sport and therefore may cause additional pressures on the players to emphasize their femininity outside the game. On the other side of the scale traditional “feminine” sports such as figure skating or gymnastics cause women to be expected to conform to the traditional beauty and grace standards which in turn reinforce the idea of gender norms. |
B) Masculinity, Disability, and Murderball
Exercise 9: Notebook/Padlet Prompt
Watch the film, Murderball and respond to the question in the padlet below (you will have an opportunity to return to the film at the end of this module).
The authors of “Cripping Sport and Physical Activity: An Intersectional Approach to Gender and Disability” observe that the “gendered performance of the wheelchair rugby players can…be interpreted as a form of resistance to marginalized masculinity” (332) but also point out that it may reinforce “ableist norms of masculinity.” After viewing the film, which argument do you agree with?
a) Murderball celebrates a kind of resistance to marginalized masculinity
b) Murderball reinforces ableist norms of masculinity
c) Murderball does neither of these things
d) Murderball does both of these things
Explain why in your notebook:
| d) Murderball does both of these things
Murderball does celebrate the resistance to marginalized masculinity through representing men who do have disabilities and show them as they engage in aggressive and high-contact sports. These athletes demonstrate strength, competitiveness and resilience while also defying stereotypes of disabled men being weak or fragile. At the same time the film reinforces the ableist norms of masculinity through the hyper masculinity that occurs. This can be seen in traits of aggression, dominance, and toughness. These traits are typically associated with able bodied individuals, specifically men. The actions of the athletes show that they align with the traditional stereotypes of able bodied men with physically intense and sometimes violent forms of competition and sport. |
Section Three: Taking a Shot
A) Resistance
B) Calling out Supercrip
Exercise 10: Mini Assignment (worth 5% in addition to the module grade)
1) Do you agree with the critique of the “supercrip” narrative in this video? Why or why not? Find an example of the “supercrip” Paralympian in the 2024 Paris Paralympics or Special Olympics coverage and explain how it works.
| The supercrip narrative in this video portrays disabled athletes as an inspiration for their abilities to persevere despite their disabilities and focus on their skill, dedication, and athleticism. For this I do agree with the narrative of the video, however this narrative can be harmful as it reinforces the idea that those with disabilities are required to constantly have higher skills to be considered valued compared to those without disabilities rather than being looked at as an individual with a diverse set of skills and abilities. This video could also suggest that it disability is something to “overcome” rather than a way of living and therefore will contribute to ableism.
During the 2024 Paris Olympics athlete Pauline Déroulède shared her story. Pauline Déroulède is a tennis player who was not a very competitive player until 2018 when she lost her leg in an accident. After her accident she lost her leg and became determined to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. While her determination and achievements are commendable there have been media portrayals of her “overcoming” disability, thus fulfilling the supercrip narrative. This form of coverage can cast a shadow on the ability and skill that Pauline has and highlights the struggle that conform to the traditional inspirational story of those who compete at high levels in sport. It is essential to celebrate the accomplishments of athletes regardless of disability while promoting a understanding of disability beyond their ability to “overcome”. |
2) Does the film Murderball play into the supercrip narrative in your opinion? How does gender inform supercrip (read this blog for some ideas)?
(300 words for each response)
| In my opinion, yes Murderball does play into the supercrip narrative. The film highlights wheelchair rugby athletes competitiveness and athleticism while also celebrating their determination and resilience. The film shares a view on players as multidimensional people who not only are competitive and flawed but are people who are aggressive and sexual and passionate. This view contrasts with the traditional and passive representation found of disabled individuals.
Gender was a leading factor in Murderball as it provided a mold for the supercrip story. The film focused on masculinity and athletes that are viewed as hyper masculine, tough, and aggressive, all traits viewed as traditional for male gender norms. Unfortunately, the film also strengthens ableist ideas and reinforce the stereotype of disabled men as weak or asexual. Instead of suggesting that real masculinity comes from being true to there individuality and accepting others as they are the film suggests that “real” men are based on skill, competitiveness, and aggressive behaviours. This is often found within supercrip stories where it is often gendered framing disabled men as the hero’s where they need to possess incredible abilities of strength, resilience and sportsmanship to be recognized in the same light as their able bodied counterparts. With the films focus on men it also misses the ability to shed light on the challenges that disabled women also face under the supercrip light as well. With the films focus on men the reinforcement of the male, masculine, disabled dynamic of supercrips. |
Refers to the intersection of disability and other identities such as race, gender, and sexuality. Crip, from the previously derogatory word “cripple” is being used by disability activists to challenge stigma.