NFL football may have come along way on the issue of race, but what about

[gully]

the objectification of women?

As a football fan, I was touched to see the comradery (regarding Rush Limbaugh's statements) today on NFL countdown. The men spoke about how Football knows no race, and the guys who play the game don't even think about skin color, quite an accomplishment considering how things were in the NFL not so many years ago. They were quite choked up about it, and seem relieved to see Rush gone.

While pondering this progress, I was reminded that the NFL still has a long way to go. Before I could reach for a tissue, an offensive commercial was blast accross my television screen. How can I celebrate the accomplishments in the NFL regarding race, as I watch women digress.

As a woman, I am constantly offended by the bullshit commercials that objectify ME during the NFL games. I would like to watch the game as a family with my daughter (who loves the game) but I find it increasingly difficult to do so. The NFL is not the only guilty party, but they are in my livingroom every Sunday, and they are losing me as a fan.

Here is one example of the ridiculous BS that infiltrates my home via the NFL.
http://www.mindonthemedia.org/ShockingImages.htm

I do celebrate the accomplishments the NFL has made regarding race, and I look forward to more progess in that area. However, I would also like the NFL to respect me and mine, and realize the sexist culture it is encouraging.

[jiacinto]

1. I see your point

But sex sells. I do think that many of the commercials that come on deman women and portray them as sex objects.

[gully]

2. Sex sells yes, but this is a 'family' game on Sunday afternoons...

Also, you don't see men degraded in the same "sexy" manner in order to sell beer. As a woman I enjoy beer and football, is that ok?

In addition, where do we draw the line? Do you think we should air porn on Sunday afternoon because 'sex sells'?

Newsflash: Beer sold loooong before SEX became the primary selling tool. You know why? Because beer sells too.

SEX sells, yes, but they need to find a new way to get out their message. And, they need to stop selling shit at my expense!

*deep breath* ooohhhhmmm....

I still love ya Carlos. :loveya:

By the way 'controversy' sells too. ESPN may have increased their viewers via Rush Limbaugh on the show, just so people could watch him emote his garbage. However, ESPN was glad to rid themself of him because of principle.

[jiacinto]

3. I agree with you

But I don't see that changing anytime soon.

[gully]

4. Why not?

Do the men who watch have daughters, mothers, sisters whom they care about?

If so, they should be outraged as well!

[jiacinto]

5. They should be, but they aren't

And they won't be. That's just life unfortunately.

[gully]

6. Do you think people should have thought that way 20 years ago

regarding race and the NFL? Hell no!

And, as a woman who is tired of seeing other woman kill themselves because of the culture we live in, I refuse to 'settle' for "that's life."

It's actually a matter of life and death, (literally.)

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/eating_disorders/9979

[Terwilliger]

7. have you seen the beer commercials?

All of the NFL is still trying to sell sex, and equate manhood with a blind allegiance to sports. That won't change faster than the racism that's still prevalent in the league.

[gully]

9. Today on NFL countdown they talked about the progress regarding race in

the NFL. However on the issue of sexism, they have digressed IMO.

It's gotten blatantly worse.

[Terwilliger]

11. but, what do you expect to happen?

race-relations have only become better because most everybody playing is black (also, the black community is HUGELY into football and have become a market force in the business)

Women are eye-candy...the cheerleaders, or the wives bitching about the fat, bloated men plunked on the couch watching the eye-candy. It's institutional. I doubt it's going to change in your lifetime, unless the league itself shuts down.

[gully]

14. *big sigh*

It wasn't that long ago that blacks were shut out of the NFL, and not allowed to play. People realized this was an injustice, and things changed.

Imagine if people said the same things about that issue to blacks who were concerned about the issue.

"That's life"
"It's institutional"
"I doubt it's going to change in your lifetime"

:wtf:

[Terwilliger]

21. well, what do I do gully?

yell at people and say "you arrogant assholes! stop being misogynist!"? I haven't contributed much to the NFL, outside of watching it. If you like that capitalismo, you have to accept that things change as a necessity of market.

I was playing football last month with a girl. She could throw a football better than anybody else. And another girl was there running out for passes, and pass defending. I have nothing but respect for women.

Again, only major participation by blacks in the league really changed much of anything...civil rights progresses in the 60's and 70's only broke the door open...only now are blacks coaches, quarterbacks, and commentators. What Rush said was horrendous, but likely represented some deep-seated things.

Progress, as I've been reminded, is only progressing :shrug: When the woman decides that she wants to play in the NFL and makes it happen...that's gonna be something. When Annika Sorenstam played in that golf match this year, she pissed a lot of people off who she BEAT! Women can compete, and that reality will only bring more prominence to women.

Still...the whole male/female thing is a something that doesn't change quickly over time.

[gully]

22. You know, I'm not even suggesting women play in the NFL at this point

I just want to be respected as a 'fan'. I want to be able to watch the game with my children and not have to explain the pathetic culture surrounding the NFL.

And ... if your talking 'marketing' the NFL should realize it's shutting out a huge potential market WOMEN. We make up 50% of the population ya know ;)

[blondeatlast]

13. It's still very much an "old boy network." Racism still exists in NFL;

you didn't see a lot of commentators reacting to Rush's comments like I would have expected reasonably intelligent people to do (as in, jump down his throat and rip out his lungs, metaphorically speaking, of course).

I found it rather amusing that most seemed to blame ESPN for hiring him in the first place (well, DUH). No they shouldn't have hired hoim, but that doesn't excuse that he is a racist bigot who should have kept his racism reasonably to himself.

This is a culture (NFL, TV sports) that thinks hiring women commentators makes it all okay; don't you dare call us sexist, we have women on the payroll. It's also a culture that makes a fortune encouraging its followers to de-evolve on a weekly basis. My husband was beated nearly senseless at a Cardinals/Raiders game--for whom he was cheering makes no difference whatsoever.

[gully]

16. I am so sorry.

"It's also a culture that makes a fortune encouraging its followers to de-evolve on a weekly basis. My husband was beated nearly senseless at a Cardinals/Raiders game"

I am re-thinking my 'fan' status today.

[blondeatlast]

8. I'm a football "widow" who used to be able to watch along with

my husband and son but no longer can. I have noticed the increasingly misogynystic advertising and I can't believe how far we've de-evolved in our thinking, much less what is acceptable portrayals of women.

Sadly, many people seem to deny that misogyny is no less humiliating to its victims than racism.

[gully]

10. BRAVO!

:thumbsup:

"Sadly, many people seem to deny that misogyny is no less humiliating to its victims than racism."

And, It's downright deadly.

[wryter2000]

12. Weather bimbette

Did you see what the weather bimbette was wearing on the pregame show today? Give me a break!

[gully]

15. Sadly I missed it...

:eyes: ;)

[blondeatlast]

17. The attacks on "political correctness" have, sadly, succeeded to some

degree. People are far more tolerant than they should be in excusing blatant racism and sexism. The sexist/racist joke at the office cooler is uncomfortably laughed at because it's the boss who told it.

My very racist uncle often gets a pass (not from me) when he tells a "joke" with the "N" word included, when it could just as easily be "moron" (still unacceptable, but).

I think a great deal of the problem lies in the fact that younger CONSUMERS (the ideal ones) have no idea of the struggles that millions of Americans have gone through to get us to the point we are at today.

For a bright, shining moment it was no longer acceptable to tell racist/sexist jokes in polite company. We seem to have forgotten the struggles endured by the many to get us even to that lowly point. My husband knows why I know longer lay on the couch and read while he watches the games. He won't buy any products with offensive advertising. Do you think ESPN really gives a damn?

[gully]

18. Good question...

Do you think ESPN really gives a damn?

No they dont give a damn. Partially because, as you said, it's accepted by so many as "life."

There is not an organized effort to change things. I think football widows should unite to do so, personally.

My fight is for my daughter more then anyone else KWIM?

But, I am working on political stuff as well, so I dont even know where to begin with this fight.

[KG]

19. well, part of the problem lies

in the willingness of some women to play along with the mysogyny - witness the 'weather bimbette' metioned above, the cheerleaders, or the actresses in the degrading commercialss, etc.

[gully]

20. Excellent point.

however I have no choice but to witness "it" if I want to watch football. The question for me is, do I want to continue to watch given the culture?

WE make a point to turn the channel in our house, when the BS commercials air. And, I do hope someone is getting the message.

BTW, I'm sure you could find any group of people willing to degrade themselves for any number of reasons given the opportunity. My point is that it should not be accepted and encouraged.

[beanball]

23. Me think the lady has a valid point

thanks Gully you are so right on.God bless you lady.

[spooky3]

24. Lots of good points in this thread. One idea

can be borrowed from the freepers, but it involves a LOT of effort.

NFL is a commercial proposition, highly dependent on advertising dollars. If consumers organized boycotts of products that used offensive images in their advertising, and the boycotts were large enough, there would be a difference in the advertising.

By the way, to tag onto an earlier comment of yours, gully, it isn't "sex" that's selling; it's women-as-object that is selling. Otherwise we would have equal numbers of gorgeous men in small amounts of provocative clothing on screen. That's another reason why we should NOT accept it as "just life."

The battles against racism and sexism and other biases are a LONG way from being won, and progress is anything but steady. As Susan Faludi so thoroughly documented in "Backlash", as soon as women make some progress, those opposed to their equality work harder to push them back.

(edited for typo)

[gully]

25. I like your idea..

but I'm not sure where to begin.

Also, your right. The 'sex sells' shit is a smoke screen, and I quit smokin a looong time ago.

I think I'll pick up Susans book.

I feel perplexed about this, but I want my child to be able to watch football or (tv) with her kids and not have the same concerns?!