We watched a youtube video showing how women athletes were portrayed in the 90s. For example, Anna Kournakova, Lisa Leslie, and the U.S. Swim Team all talked about how they were shown sexually. The U.S. Swim Team was shown naked behind an American flag and they revealed quite a bit. However, my only argument was that these women weren't photographed sexually by the paparazzi on there own. They had to agree to do the photo shoot and they posed on there own will to do so. And I'm sure an exchange of money was involved in this. Which makes me believe that the media along with many other people discuss this issue and make a big deal over something that these women have chosen to do.
Another point that wasn't brought up was the ESPN "The Body Issue" Magazine. Someone mentioned the difference between Serena Williams on the cover and Dwight Howard on the cover and how Dwight Howard's body is cut off at his waist. This could be a topic of discussion, but if you look throughout the magazine, there are more naked men shown in their sport then naked women. For example, the D.C. United MLS team and three players from the Edmonton Oilers. This makes me wonder why people make a big deal about Serena on the cover but don't look inside to see what the magazine is about. This just goes to show that you, "can't judge a book by its cover."
WOW!! I did not know this but I'm really glad you point this out! I don't think its necessary to make a big deal of athlete posing nude if its done tastefully. People should appreciate the human form especially that of athletes that work so hard to perfect their physique.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you posted those pictures from ESPN magazine. When I first saw the covers, I thought that it was interesting how they cut off the male at the waist but showed the entire female form. I would never have guessed that there were so many nearly-nude pictures of men inside the magazine. I think that this brings up a really interesting point about how quick everyone is, myself included apparently, to get upset about "unfair" and "sexualized" treatment of females. From now on I will have to be sure to look a little deeper before assuming the worst.
ReplyDeleteI feel like it shouldn't matter if the athlete poses almost nude in photos. Now I won't be looking at the one's of men, but they work out and have the bodies that they do and if they want to show them off, I'm fine with that. Women I do feel think that they need to show some skin to get some attention. But, once they draw fans in with their looks, they can then show them what they have on the court.
ReplyDeleteTo tell the truth, I got this issue with Serena on the cover and had not even looked inside, so it was news to me that the other photos that you posted were inside the magazine. Someone showed a few of the other photos in another class, and I was surprised to see those as well. What bothered me more than anything about Serena being on the cover is that women's sport has rarely been featured in ESPN: The Magazine--a lot less than in Sports Illustrated. So why did they choose to feature more women when they were naked to one degree or another. It makes it less problematic that there were males as well, but I just wish ESPN: The Magazine would cover more women's sports!
ReplyDeleteI do not think that it is wrong for an athlete to pose nude. If they want to pose nude then thay should be allowed to do it. I think it is a problem though that women's sports are only being covered by ESPN when they decide to pose nude. This just shows that women recieve more attention for their looks, rather than their athletic ability. A woman has to pose nude to get on the cover of ESPN.
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