sports
In Fox's "Pitch" Gender Essentialism Stars Alongside Every Sports Cliché in the Book
The best thing about Pitch is the charismatic protagonist Ginny Baker, played wonderfully by Kylie Bunbury, who approaches the role with an emotional nuance and subtlety that balances the show’s heavy-handed script.
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Backtalk: Kaepernick’s Protest & Freelance Writer Problems
Amy and Sarah talk about big feelings on activist athletes. They dig into the media coverage of Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the national anthem and highlight what it means that soccer star Megan Rapinoe took a knee in solidarity with him. Then, they discuss the gender... Read more »
Popaganda: Body-Positive Exercise
Why does the thought of going to the gym inspire such anxiety? Because exercise—literally moving our bodies—is so wrapped up in fatphobia, ableism, sexism, and other nasty stuff. On this episode, we try to extricate exercise from all the body-shaming stuff that’s usually tied to it.... Read more »
How the "Stereotype Effect" Hurts Women Athletes
When women are told they’re worse athletes, they perform worse. And our society tells them they’re not as good as men in all kinds of ways.
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Backtalk: "Stranger Things" & Women at the Olympics
A spoiler-free conversation about gender and race on Netflix show Stranger Things (Winona!). Amy and Sarah also discuss how female athletes are scrutinized during the Olympic games. Plus: Big news about Amy’s life and some love for Alynda Segarra of Hurray for the Riff... Read more »
Opportunity Costs: What the Olympics Show Us About the Economics of Women's Sports
Women who are skilled competitors and elite athletes should have the chance to shine more than once every four years.
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Magical Thinking: The Media’s Disturbing Portrayal of Katinka Hosszu’s Relationship with Her Husband and Coach
NBC sports commentators have been criticized for several other gaffes in the past few days that all display a traditional and conservative approach to gender and relationships.
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As They Head to the Olympics, Women's Soccer is Fighting to Win Equal Pay
They’re the number one women’s soccer team in the world. But their most formidable opponent is the wage gap.
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Cruel Summer: What's Messed Up About The Olympic Games
It’s worth considering what kind of exploitation makes our spectatorship possible.
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Popaganda: Sports and Capitalism
The Olympics kicks off this week in Rio de Janeiro, amid protests over its high costs and impact on Brazil’s poorest communities. While sports represent our cultural values and tie in closely to our identities, it’s not hard to see how sports from the college level to the Olympics... Read more »