Monday, March 7, 2011

Are women bad for men in sports?

Bigragu, the youtube account name a man created, uploaded a video roughly five months ago regarding the influence women have on men in sports. While the video was publically published at the end of last year, I was absolutely appalled at what it was saying and thought it would be a great topic to get out there and discuss.
The man in front of the camera, I will stick with the name Bigragu since that is his account name, argues that women have a negative effect on men in sport. He started the video, however, trying to cover himself by saying, "behind every good man is a great woman." He went on to say that without women in the world men would be running around like crazy and it would be absolute chaos. I think this is his way to mask the stereotypes and absurd remarks he makes later regarding women.
The meat of the video began at around 3:00 when the man states, "A woman has a great affect on a man, except in sports, unless she is a fanatic about the sport the man is in as well." He continues by saying, "If she's not a fanatic, the man is not going to operate at 100%." I find this completely absurd. I will not argue against the fact that women have strong effects on men, just as men have powerful effects on women, but I do not think it is necessary to say that if a women is not a fanatic about her man's sport, he will not operate at 100%. I think men should take responsibility for their actions. If he is not performing at 100% or at the level he would like to, is he just going to blame it on the woman he is dating? Like we have discussed many times in our class, having power comes with a certain responsibility. Men should not feel guily about the power they posses in the sports world, but they do have to take responsibility for it. If a man cannot perform at the most elite level he should only blame himself, not his partner.
Another part of the video that hit me hard was around 4:20 when Bigragu says, "If [a man] wants mediocrity he can be with a woman who really doesnt like the sport." First of all, I dont think anyone, male or female, wants mediocrity. Everyone, whether it be in sports, school, or their job, wants the utmost success. To say, "wants mediocrity" is very pathetic. Additionally, he is essentially saying that if a man does not excel in the sport of his choice and he has a woman who does not necessarily like that sport, then it must be her fault. I will admit that I do believe one's partner in life influences the other's decisions and capabilities, but I think Bigragu takes it to a whole new level. Yes, I believe couples should support eachother, encouarge one another, and show respect for the other's interest, but is a woman the sole cause for a man's failure to reach the top? That answer is no.
At around 4:30 in the clip Bigragu stereotypes women as being uneducated and not knowledgable about sports. He mocks women as saying things like, "did he score a homerun?" at a football game or asking what inning it is at a football game. Although Bigrargu is not saying that all women are like this and have no idea about sports, he is still making these remarks that stereotype women. Once again, I think this is crazy and it makes it seem like all women are clueless about athletics.
The last quote I will use from the video comes around 5:00 when he is making a statement aimed at women saying, "Dont be mad if he's self absorbed; he's an athlete." To put it simply, this is an excuse. Bigragu has come up with am excuse for men that they are able to be self absorbed if they are athletes. If that is the case then men, dont get angry when your women are emotional, needy, moody, crabby, demanding, irrational, and bitchy once a month; they are women; they get their periods. That is all an excuse. I hate excuses and dont agree that men can say they are able to be self absorbed simply because are athletes. Just as women cannot rationalize their moody behavior because it is "that time of the month." Rule #76, no excuses, play like a champ (Wedding Crashers 2005).
I am not sure if it is just my computer or the video itself, but I was cut off at 5:14. If anyone is able to watch the remainder of the clip that would be great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pbiZoakYrk

Brittany Bowlin
Kin 338I 5681 (sec. 04)

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