As if women covering sports didn’t have it hard enough, the case of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews reveals a whole new level of sexism and objectification for women who dare to build a career within a “man’s sphere.” Andrews, whose physical appearance and sex appeal have been a constant focus during her five-year career at ESPN, “was secretly videotaped in the nude while she was alone in a hotel room, and the video was posted on the Internet,” reports the AP. Feministing details Andrews’ struggles as a sideline reporter, “a job that has always been linked to sexism…[in which women are] exploited for their sex appeal to straight male audiences and rarely, if ever, asked to provide opinions or analysis (presumably because the networks are not interested in the sports opinions of women, and certainly not these women).” With mainstream media and Internet outlets riveted by news of the tape, Jezebel ponders the question of why, asking: “Did Erin Andrews’s efforts to be taken seriously as a sportscaster actually feed this scandal…? And if so, how the hell are female sportscasters — female anything — supposed to win?”
We look forward to seeing–and encourage you to watch–our insightful Progressive Women’s Voices grad Jessica Valenti discuss this issue on CNN’s American Morning in the coming days.
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3 Comments
My experiences with white women, Is this.
White women as individuals do not support minorities in their struggle for equality in this society.
Matter of fact, from my experiences White women act as a facilitator for bigotry in the work place.
Now dont get me wrong here. I do understand what Erin Andrews experienced as stated above. However, my comment is from 20 plus years working. And thats factual.
Sexism is alive and well and especially thriving in male-dominated ’sports’. If we paid more attention, admired and reported more on Paralympics then Special Olympics heroines/heroes would get more attention from the President. Unless he treats these unsung heroes as a “stupid” joke. Remember when Obama gave Hillary the finger–flip-offed her on N.C.stage and his fans kept applauding? Remember all his disgusting sexists comments during the campaign? There;s a whole list of them. But he was sneaky and was careful to do this in ‘covert’ fashion.
Remember Obie’s
“Periodically,when Hillary feels ‘down’, she starts launching attacks against me to boost her appeal”!!!
How presidential! To make “stupid” comments when he kinows dik-all /Nothing, as he said, of the Facts! Great Judgment, el Presidente!
Female reporters should be getting paid twice as much as the bozos theyreport on whose claim to fame is ’spittin’ and making millions.
Why is Race-baiting the fashion these days? It’s black and white (and rainbow of every color!) WOMEN who are always unafraid to fight for Human Rights and equality and justice for all. Reading our history books will give ample evidence to those who seek the Truth and not an agenda….Men have made a messof this world treating it like a playpen–except they spend $700 billion on foreign wars in Afghanistan to prove their macho! Bush or Obama = No difference~