Brandi Chastain, photographed by Robert Beck
If you are a reader of this journal, one snap judgment that might be made is that (like me) your number one pastime has not been attempting, viewing, or reading about sports. For one thing, THIS still exists. But recently, it has come to my attention that my own neglect of the physical for the so-called intellectual may be a lost opportunity.
Riffing off of this week’s achievement in diplomacy with North Korea, (thanks to U.S. sports celebrity Dennis Rodman and, more importantly, the intervention of Vice Magazine,) begs similar questions to the ones that have been a-buzz around the academy as well as the media: “How do we identify cultural capital? How do we use cultural diplomacy?” And, “What is the significance of the frequency of private individuals or agents acting in a way that effects national diplomacy/security?”
I am not actually going to try to address those questions. Sorry, but I am just a policy spectator. I can, however, provide some alternative narratives for us creative types (nerds) to interface with the athletic sector.
Recently I came across a creative project called Game Face. It was an exhibit, a book, and also a nice little website to provide us with images answering the question: “What does a female athlete look like?” Jane Gottesman directed the project and Geoffrey Biddle curated the photographs of real women in sports.
Victory Lap, Atlanta, Georgia
Amy Sancetta, AP/Wide World Photos, 1996
If you happen to be a female runner, you might be interested in these two groups which focus on empowering girls: Girls Gotta Run, and (similarly) Girls on the Run. Here is a word on the topic from the Feminist Majority Foundation (albeit a little dated).
For a contemporary literary consideration of sports policy, you might check out Dave Zirin’s book, Game Over: How Politics Has Turned The Sports World Upside Down. Zirin covers issues of racism, sexism and homophobia in sports. In a leaflet that was given to me after an Arts and Activism class, Zirin promises to “cover the struggles of gay and lesbian athletes to gain acceptance, female athletes to be more than sex symbols, and athletes everywhere to assert their collective bargaining rights as union members…” in a public forum. Friday March 1, 5:30-7:30p, NYU – Kimmel 803.
In a parallel narrative, you may be interested in Jane McGonigal‘s video game sourcing tactics for social change. Her work comes out of an observation that gamers continue problem-solving after losing multiple times in a row. She seeks to harness this enthusiasm in order to persistently workshop environmental and social issues.
What examples of sport and social change have you come across?