Tag Archives: Feminista?

Mario Balotelli, Black Athlete Fetishism, & Emotional Volatility

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When you hear the name “Mario Balotelli”, what terms come to mind? On the positive side, the words “powerful”, “strong”, and “muscular” ring around the room. On the negative side, we’ve all read about his “volatility” and “outbursts” and “immaturity.” Yet why do we tend to focus so heavily on terms of power when describing black male athletes, when the discourse of grace also applies? Why do vocally dissident black athletes get fed to the sharks?

The first discourse is a dishonest and disempowering “black athlete fetishism,” the second reflect subtle misogynist underpinnings – reason, the province of the white rational male, must trump emotion.

Let’s deconstruct both these ideas, shall we? Continue reading “Mario Balotelli, Black Athlete Fetishism, & Emotional Volatility” »

WPS – Why I Love The Women's Game

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Closed-minded pundits point to one simple moment, one single article of clothing, to represent the rise of the Women’s game in the US: the Chastain Sports Bra. This moment encapsulates the twisted history of women’s sports – the double standards and the fleeting big media attention. In a word, I hate and love this moment. As do many WPS fans. Continue reading “WPS – Why I Love The Women's Game” »

Soccer Players and Anglo Saxon Prayers

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John Terry. Did I miss the bandwagon? Or am I fashionably late? Regardless of your level of interest, know this – John Terry’s sex life has stuck a simmering poker into the gaping chasm between the anglo-saxon cultures and the Latin world. And yes, I am referring to Sepp Blatter’s odd comments. And yes, I am giving him way too much credit. And yes, I will muse on the Bridge snub. Just bear with me… Continue reading “Soccer Players and Anglo Saxon Prayers” »

Deceptive Double Mantard – Burn the Boxer!

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So, everybody knows about the Cristiano Ronaldo campaign for Armani. The Portuguese wears little clothing and everybody coos, even Florentino Perez. But what about when lesser known Jesus Datolo, a young Argentine of Boca Jrs fame and currently at Napoli, poses for a gay Italian magazine? Well, his club threatens to fine him for “injury to their image.” I have breaking news for Napoli – any individual can legally view or purchase a magazine regardless of said magazine’s intended audience. That creepy guy on the bus can glare all he wants at the CR9 short shorts centerfold.

Thus, this leaves two possibilities. Continue reading “Deceptive Double Mantard – Burn the Boxer!” »

In the Spirit of Stealing Content Part 5

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So, you brushed off your espanol with last week’s thievery post, but now I have a bit of hazy-maze-puzzle for you. A feminist friend sent me a link lamenting that a women footy club in Naquera, Spain, faced with severe financial difficulties, did the unthinkable – they pulled off a Brandi Chastain…in calendar form.

Allegedly, the ladies posed for a scandalous soccer calendar to raise funds. Yes, Simone De Beauvoir rolls in her grave and my postmodern-liberal-radical feminist mind races in circles and circles. Is this a good thing? Do we problematize sexuality by ironically portraying the gender roles? Or is this master-servant with one whip firmly in one party’s hand? (And we assume that’s a bad thing)…

Then comes the skeptical aspect and a regional linguistic element – the concept of a town named “Naquera” to my Mexican ears elicits a laugh. Why? Well, because “naco” is the word used to describe somebody who, ahem, lacks culture. Think redneck, but without intellectual stalwarts Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy defending the cause. It is an even worse (and homophobic) perjorative in Nicaraguan Spanish.

And thus I began my search for the truth from the comfort of my desk but in a surreal state of disbelief and suspicion. And then things got interesting… Continue reading “In the Spirit of Stealing Content Part 5” »