While browsing a message board that I frequent, I clicked upon a thread discussing the new body issue of Sports Illustrated magazine. While not showing any private parts, the nude Serena Williams on the cover will surely captivate the attention of many. The Sports Illustrated body issue attempts to discuss and promote the amazing body that these athletes have come to possess, through their hard work and athletic training. A picture of the magazine cover can be seen here.
The editor-in-chief of the magazine, Gary Belsky contends that the magazine is only focusing on how the body can be "bent and pulled, tortured and broken, inflated and improved and made to excel." However, the immediate reaction on the message board that I went to only focused on one thing, how "hot" and sexy Serena Williams is. Instead of focusing on her athletic form, internet users immediately began sexualizing the cover, and I propose that such a reaction is going to be very common.
What is the purpose of posing for such a cover? Is Serena Williams somehow trying to appease critics that say she might be too masculine? By posing in such a manner, Serena Williams is unfortunately just creating and emphasizing a sexualized view towards women athletes, marginalizing their athletic capabilities. While many people might triumph the cover and contend that is shows off the amazing physique that women can attain, many more will look at the cover and only view it in a sexualized manner. Attempting to masquerade as a triumph of the body, the magazine is only hoping to sell the sexual attractiveness of these athletes.
Eric Harnden
Kin 338i, Section 6
T/R 2:00-3:15 PM
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