After viewing the post, women and the London 2012 Summer Olympics, posted by Professor Pok, I began searching for other ways female athletes have been praised. I came across a clip of former U.S President George W. Bush and his more than awkward situation with female volleyball player Misty May-Treanor in August 2008. While the video is a short news clip from Fox News, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdE1q4kUi1c, of the actual incident, I also found an article by Elana Schor, appropriately titled, "Bush Gives Volley Player A Pat On the Back- Or Was It The Backside?"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/11/georgebush.olympics2008, from The Guardian to accompany it. Both reports show George Bush and Misty May-Treanor after a friendly match while the then President visited Beijing during the Olympics. She playfully reminds him that it is common for athletes to pat eachother's backsides after a game. She promptly turns her backside to him, encouraging him to partake in the tradition. Whimsical George seems to hesitate for a moment, finally taking a moment to think before acting, then pats the young woman on her lower back.
While I was surprised that he had found some restraint within himself, however I was left with some dismay about Misty May. I had expected some juvenile reaction from Bush, sure, but I found myself more bothered by the invitation presented to him. I found it rather shocking that the athlete had nothing better to say to the former President. This must be part of the problem. I doubt she was trying to draw sexual attention from George W. When I first read the title of these reports I immediately assumed that Bush had done something offensive. It was disappointing to see such an incredibly accomplished athlete reducing herself to nothing more than a bubbly babe when speaking with the President. I began to wonder if we could ever move past our own reliance on our weapons of charisma and beauty. Once recognized in some way by their accomplishments why do some women have trouble dropping the flirty facade? If women are used to benefitting from looking or acting a certain way, what would keep them from doing it? I admit that looks and behavior can make us seem more approachable and people will inevitably respond to that, but I hardly think that an Olympic athlete needs to rely on her girlish charms to seem interesting. Is it insecurity or comfort that drives women to use their crowd pleasing behavior? If we cannot represent ourselves seriously, how can we expect the men to follow suit? Some food for thought for us upcoming successful women. Let's not get in our own way.
I don't exactly agree that she is trying to call negative attention. I think she was just trying to be playful and not have the meeting with Bush be so serious. I did not see what she does as a bad thing. I mean we see it all the time in movies that have sports involved. Men playing baseball or playing football getting a pat on the butt by either a team mate or a coach, and it is usually seen as a funny part in the movie. We never talk about how that is wrong. I also don't think that it is insecurity that is driving her or others because I don't really think she would be in a two piece bathing suit.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I do not believe she was trying to be anything more than light hearted with the former President and perhaps she was nervous, however, I do believe that it was a bit inappropriate. More than anything I am disappointed because I feel that one expects so much more out of accomplished women and there is a time and a place to bring out that playful side. Maybe she did not think of herself as a role model during her side converation with Bush, but with the cameras watching, she could have sent a different message.
DeleteI agree with Nina that it was inappropriate behavior. While I am sure that Misty was trying to be humorous and whimsical, there is a time and a place and I do not think that a woman should encourage the President to pat her backside. It seems cheap and inappropriate.
ReplyDeleteExactly! I also found that it seemed to cheapen the prestige of her accomplishments and after all her hard work, the public eye should not see anything less than an amazing athlete.
DeleteI think you hit the nail on the head when you said "It was disappointing to see such an incredibly accomplished athlete reducing herself to nothing more than a bubbly babe when speaking with the President." Here we have an olympic athlete at the top of her game, who is in a unique position to be able to challenge traditional gender roles on a number of levels, and she throws that chance away in favor of an eyelash-batting flirty exploit.
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