Sporting Diversity: The politics of difference and identity.

Reading Response #2 Sporting Diversity: The politics of difference and identity A. Sexuality and the Organization of Women's Sport: Since the introduction of women in sport, women have struggled for equal rights and opportunities within an environment driven by male domination and masculine values. In order to gain acceptance by their colleagues, coaches, and the media, women must fit a profile that reflects appropriate behaviors and appearances based on characteristics of hegemonic femininity. However, the world …

…the language of sports commentary tends to (often subtly) re-construct gender and racial hierarchies." (Messner 133) In reading this article I was made more aware that language reveals embedded social meanings, biases, stereotypes, and inequalities placing men and women within a system of differentiation and stratification (133). Ever since I was introduced to this new critical way of looking at language and sport commentary, I have been more aware of the actions, and results of such behavior.