The 31st Olympics have been going on in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil these past few week and women, young and old, have done very well in a majority of the events! Many American news companies are covering this event. Throughout the games, though, a large amount of people have been noticing that some of the commentators have made sexist comments against to women athletes and have not been giving them the credit they deserve. Vogue, a well-renowned women’s magazine, wrote an article on this issue.
In this, they gave the bothersome fact that “men are more likely to be described by their physical traits (speed, strength), while a woman’s age, marital status, and looks are the factors that dominate coverage” (Vogue). When I read this, I thought to myself that’s impossible, these people are exaggerating, but when I was watching the Olympics that night, sure enough the comments about when definitely differed from the ones about me. Here are a few examples that I heard over the next few days:
• Simone Biles kept being called “the next Michael Jordan” or “Michael Phelps” or even “Usain Bolt.” When she heard the comments said about her, here’s what she had to say about that: “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps… I’m the first Simone Biles.” With this killer quote, Simone immediately grew her influence on girls everywhere. She reminded us that women are not trying to be like men. We are trying to be the best women we can be!
• Chicago native, Corey Cogdell, a women’s trap shooter, scored bronze. When the Chicago Tribune wanted to write an article on her, they addressed her as the “wife of a Bears’ lineman.” It’s like we are living back in the 19th and 20th centuries before women had rights! They belonged to their husbands like property! Women from all over the world have 100% NOT fought to get their hard work credited to a male! It’s the 21st people! Women have names that they own and that form them… please use them society!
• Last but not least: Hungarian swimmer Katinka Hosszu. When Katinka just set the World Record for the 400-meter individual medley, the TV immediately cut to her husband and coach and give him all of the credit. Sure he had some part in it, but he most definitely did not do everything, or else he would have been on the podium not her! Believe it or not, women are actually athletic!
All in all, I believe that the Olympics are another way of showing how close-minded some people can be. This is a call to action for all you girls out there! We have to be the change! We need to recognize other people for their actions and show people what women and girls CAN do!
