Before attending class, I had never heard the name Caster Semenya. As the controversy surrounding her grows, I see her her name and story everywhere, whether its online or on TV. After browsing the news section of Yahoo, I encountered yet another story updating the world on Caster Semenya's situation, entitled Embattled track star Caster Semenya gets new coach, new look.
After clicking on the news story, I was greeted with a magazine cover picture showcasing Caster Semenya and her new look. Apparently, the only way Caster Semenya can prove that she is a real woman is to let her hair down and wear make-up, jewelry, and a dress. While she attempts to authenticate her status as a woman to the world, her magazine cover seems to reinforces the stereotype and notion that real woman wear dresses, make-up, and jewelry. What about women that do not like wearing such accessories and have a different fashion style? Are such women somehow considered less womanly? Even if she genuinely enjoys her new look, the sudden appearance change seems solely for the purpose of pleasing her critics that say she is not woman enough, since she has typically been spotted wearing baggy clothing and cornrows. With a chance to show that women do not have to conform to society's misconstrued standards, Caster Semenya caves in to these views, and it's extremely obvious. I hope impressionable young girls do not see this magazine cover and begin thinking that they have to present themselves a certain way for acceptance.
Eric Harnden
Kin 338i, Section 6
T/R 2:00-3:15 PM
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I also saw Castor Semenya's cover of You magazine. Her new look is, unfortunately, not surprising due to the constant torment that the media has been putting her through. I was watching an interview where she held strong while a male reporter was scrutinizing her about her true gender and she replied with a strong, feminist statement about not giving a damn about what people have to say about her. By the looks of this cover, she does care and is giving into the media's ideals of what a "true" woman should look and act like. I don't blame her for wanting to hide from the press and give into the ideals just to make the constant examining and scutiny stop, but if who she is is a strong woman with masculine features, she should prespresent that to the world. I think having her on the cover of a magazine dressed as though she would any other day would show the world and our female youth that its fine to be exactly the way you are.
Joey Russell
Kin 338i sec 3018
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