I’m expecting a backlash to this article, but it’s something that I’ve been thinking about for a while (mainly as a result of reading social media comments) and I believe it’s something that should be discussed.
So here’s the thing, as an ardent All Blacks supporter, I watch all the games, read all the news (pre and post match) and participate in lively debate. I like the banter as much as I like the analysis.
But here’s what confuses me… we live in an era where some sections of society are protected from derogatory slurs, and rightly so, but why isn’t this applied to all sections of society?
In 2017, racial slurs are no longer tolerated… and thank God for that. It’s sad that we ever lived in a world where they were commonplace, however, history can’t be undone. What we can do is ensure the future is a place of zero tolerance. So racial slurs are no longer acceptable, and that’s absolutely, 100 per cent, the way it should be.
In America, the NFL is “taking a ‘zero tolerance’ stance against hate speech by extending existing rules about ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’ to certain words and phrases” to ensure this behaviour doesn’t occur on the field.
In New Zealand last year, a player was suspended for 46 weeks after making racist remarks. As Susan Devoy says, “Racism has no place on our rugby fields.”
Peni Manumanuniliwa, said that all he wanted was for something to be done about “racial abuse on the playing field” not just for himself, but “for every player in New Zealand.” He moved to Southbridge in 2007 and has had racial slurs aimed at him constantly: “It’s really tough when you are playing rugby and they call you these kind of things.”
Tim Gilkison, Canterbury Rugby’s general manager, said, “This sort of racial abuse is simply unacceptable, either in rugby or in society in general. We are committed to doing anything in our power to stamp out this sort of behaviour in our game, but we can only act when we receive a complaint.” I applaud Canterbury Rugby for taking the matter seriously – hopefully a 46-week ban will be a deterrent for others.
It’s 2017 and homophobic slurs are no longer tolerated, and once again, thank God for that. Typing ‘homophobic slurs in rugby’ into a search engine brings up article after article of players apologizing for using them, or rather by players being caught using them and then apologizing.
Last year Michael Allardice admitted making comments which he claimed were said “in jest.” In his public apology he said he was “deeply embarrassed and ashamed of the hurt [he had] caused.” This incident didn’t have the same result as the Canterbury incident. Which might be a reflection on how the club views it; Andrew Flexman, Chiefs CEO, called it “a regrettable incident.”
After a study found that “that more gay young Kiwi men hide their sexuality on the playing field than anywhere else in the world”, Steve Tew said the findings gave “a very clear message that rugby and other sports have an issue, particularly around homophobia.”
Maybe New Zealand rugby needs a trailblazer like David Pocock, someone not scared to stand up for his convictions.
In 2015 Pocock caused a ruckus during a Brumbies-Waratahs match for insisting Craig Joubert address homophobic slurs from a Waratahs forward.
Pocock said, “As players, we’ve said the Brumbies aren’t going to tolerate any homophobic slurs, I just made that clear to the referee that it’s unacceptable. You can be the toughest man in the world, but it’s got nothing to do with using that sort of language.”
Earlier this year Tawera Kerr-Barlow admitted guilt for using gay slurs, but signed up with a campaign for gay awareness “in a bid to stop homophobia in New Zealand sport.” He’s witnessed homophobia in top-level rugby but didn’t believes that the slurs carried “any intent to harm”, but conceded that that “carelessness is exactly what we have to change.”
He thinks “people are becoming more accepting but as a culture I think we still have a long way to go.” So he started challenging himself and his teammates to stop: “We pull each other up on it now.”
NZR has shown its commitment to stamping out this kind of thing by commissioning the Respect and Responsibility Review, which was a good first step.
The report states that “Sporting organisations, schools and teams need to adopt a zero tolerance for players and fans who engage in homophobic behaviour,” which is all very well and good, but it’s how they deal with future complaints that will be the real test.
So 2017 is an era where racial and homophobic slurs are no longer tolerated and if they do occur, are dealt with severely. I haven’t seen it occurring often on social media but when it does, people are instantly called out for it. What is great to see.
However, while it most certainly is 2017, why do gender slurs continue to made and more importantly, are apparently tolerated? When I’ve called people out for this I’ve been told to “chill out” and “not to get my knickers in a twist.”
So herein lies my confusion… how can some sections of society be protected (and once again, let me make it exceedingly clear, I think that’s rightly so), but not women?
Why is it ok to call a male rugby player a ‘girl’ on social media if they played poorly? Now let’s look at that… if you play a great game of rugby you’re a ‘genius’ or ‘star’, but if you’re rubbish, you’re a ‘girl’.
They don’t use the word ‘woman’, because that would connote some sort of equality. Usage of the word ‘girl’ in this way implies absolute inferiority. It insinuates that whatever the player did, was wrong, weak or just not up to standard.
But let me ask you this… what kind of ‘girl’ is a lesser male rugby player? Because after watching WRugby World Cup 2017, I’m just not too sure. To me, those ‘girls’ possessed skills that would make a lot of rugby players sit up and take notice.
I’m sure there are men out there who would like the same skill set as Selica Winiata or Portia Woodman. So are these the ‘girls’ the name-callers are talking about?
As much as I detest the old adage “Throws like a girl”, even I must admit that the scientific research does in fact lend credence to it. In studies conducted by Jerry Thomas of “overhand ball throwing across different cultures have found that pre-pubescent girls throw 51 to 69 percent of the distance that boys do, at 51 to 78 percent of the velocity.”
However, he concluded that “there doesn’t appear to be a muscular or structural reason for the difference” in throwing, instead citing neurological and evolution as contributing factors.
Dr Janet Hyde’s research shows that the perceived differences between men and women are just that, perceived. She examined social, psychological, communication and physical traits, skills and behaviours and found that theres a “very large difference in only two skills: throwing velocity and throwing distance.”
However, even the scientific research shows that females can be taught to “throw more like boys.” Regardless of the science, the phrase is meant as an insult.
To those who don’t think words matter… in America the phrase ‘throws like a girl’ has been “used to help explain why male athletes, especially football players, were involved in so many assaults against women. Having been trained (like most American boys) to dread the accusation of doing anything “like a girl,” athletes were said to grow into the assumption that women were valueless, and natural prey.”
So guess what… words do matter. And the fact that racial and homophobic slurs are no longer acceptable show this.
The gender divide will never disappear if we continue to allow language that demeans or belittles women, or their contribution.
And before you assume anything about me based on this article, I don’t despise men or only wear flat-soled shoes (just to terminate any brewing stereotypes!).
bennalong
Guest
This is unrealistic political correctness BS. This is the stuff that's been fed to kids in school for thirty years and the people who spout it aren't aware they were suckered. Meanwhile millions of Muslims have illegally entered Europe, millions of Mexicans and Latinos have illegally entered the US and "progressives" like yourself look forward to Whites becoming minorities in the countries they developed. Meanwhile Affirmative Action has killed off the "old" idea that the best should be promoted first. Education has been skewed in favour of girls so effectively that they now do better than boys in the HSC and this is seen as a victory! Your gender theory beliefs are plain dumb. There is a massive divide between the sexes. Physically men are bigger, stronger, faster and more aggressive. The politically correct invoke this difference when they cite their (distorted) statistics on sexual assault rape and violence against women. Yet our ADF has stopped recruiting men who apply in favour of waiting for apparently reluctant women to join between now and Christmas You write....................."Dr Janet Hyde’s research shows that the perceived differences between men and women are just that, perceived. She examined social, psychological, communication and physical traits, skills and behaviours and found that theres a “very large difference in only two skills: throwing velocity and throwing distance." If the attributions are accurate it is a perfect example the tragic decline in tertiary education standards, though gender studies are probably the least academic area of the post modernist claptrap added to the curricula of Western universities. Finally, it's OK to call a man "a gir"l if he plays poorly (usually in rugby because he avoids contact) because it refers to something that is understood. It conveys an intended meaning. While we still have free speech, a turn of phrase that is well understood will always trump political correctness.
guttsy
Guest
Blackpool in the UK now wants to change its name. Also referring to part of England traditionally known as The Black Country as "The Black Country" is now considered offensive. Any white person who disagrees is a raging racist and any person of colour who disagrees is an Uncle Tom in the making.
Pinetree
Guest
This was meant to be a reply to Peter above...
Pinetree
Guest
I am sure that the modern use of drugs, and cesarean births, help to relieve the pain considerably though. There is also the joy of a new born baby as well. I fail to see how this could compare to say, someone getting tortured in war for no reward other than the torture to stop, and the mental scars to remain. Tough is also doing things you don't want to do, not what is an unavoidable situation. I am not trying to downgrade the pain of birth, just saying that your comment is fallacious rubbish, as a comparison could never be made, as men cannot have birth. As far as I know, there is no scientific data that proves that birth, particularly in the modern world, is the most painful experience ever, and it certainly is not a trauma that has a long term effect.
double agent
Guest
Next time I'm watching the Wallabies with my wife and she says 'They're playing like a bunch of girls' I'm going to do two things. Firstly a check of her gender to make sure I haven't made a terrible error of judgement at some point in the past. Next an intensive re education program based on this article where she can confront the fact she is a vile sexist chauvinist pig and a henchman of the patriarchy. She'll soon see sense.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yep, it's a horrible feeling isn't it?
Wal
Roar Guru
Just like everyone else I used casual slurs in my teens, and like your player, I've had a couple of Friends commit suicide of the years, 2, in particular, stand out. One a Lesbian who was a really quiet shy type at school who never quite fit in. The other a Maori friend who fitted all the overachiever stereotypes, but in the very white Northwest suburbs of Christchurch was always self-deprecating as a defence mechanism. I have often wondered if I contributed in any way no matter how small to their feelings of worthlessness.
piru
Roar Rookie
Why is it so important for you to not make some minor changes to the language you use, particularly if you know that your words are causing harm. This is the crux of it isn't it? A little bit of empathy can make a huge difference
Wal
Roar Guru
To those that use terms like thought Police and freedom of speech as a defence of slurs/insults. Why is it so important for you to not make some minor changes to the language you use, particularly if you know that your words are causing harm. Whether we like it or not some parts of our society start life at a disadvantage, and I for one would lie to do everything I can to even the playing field. Imagine reducing Gay suicide rates simply by changing the language you use. Imagine preventing someone's daughter from sexual abuse by creating an environment where they have the means to challenge men in power. We have come a long way from where we were but the cold reality is through casual everyday actions we all continue to reinforce negative stereotypes that others use and exploit.
piru
Roar Rookie
What Wal said No one stopped them saying what they want to say, and if they quit their jobs they could say it all day at the top of their lungs. Freedom of speech doesn't mean there are no consequences
taylorman
Guest
Yes he is, and one thing I've seen is how prevalent this is in the US. The views on Fox from Judge Jeanie and Hannity and the supporters are unbelievable and I can see why the US has never got close to resolving its social divides. The work of Lincoln, or at least the intention of, and a hundred years later of Martin Luther King have only served to reinforce that divide. The same group that demand their right to the second amendment to own firearms without taking any responsibility for those who continuously abu?se that right via the massive amount of multiple shootings, at the same time think they can set the rules for those, as the NFL players have, who defend their right to protest under the first amendment..."don';t protest in my viewing time". And these are our supposed protectors...
Wal
Roar Guru
See Piru's post above. I too had friends commit suicide, for a variety of reasons. Is it really so hard to adjust your banter to protect others or is not worth it.
Wal
Roar Guru
Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from consequence. Whether we like it or not we white middle-class males have long been oppressors, both Racial and Sexual. And the simple reality is there is still a very small number who still use their position of power to either oppress or gain an advantage. Harvey Weinstein the most current. The only way we can correct this is to prevent further abuse no matter what form it comes in. For most of us born White and Male, we can't possibly understand what life is like to have constant reinforcement of negative stereotypes, It doesn't matter the context or intended humour, its outcomes can be devastating. So as long as you fight for your right to "free speech" all you are doing is insulting others and confirming the negative stereotypes that guys like Weinstein use to their advantage..
Fionn
Guest
As Wal says above: 'I think the performance difference is irrelevant, the whole point is using a gender as an insult'
Wal
Roar Guru
I think the performance difference is irrelevant, the whole point is using a gender as an insult.
Harry Jones
Expert
I have no idea. My poetry knows no definition.
Fraser
Guest
"Not allowed to call anyone small...." You seem to think you have the right to assume that someone is inferior to you because you're taller than them, and that you then have the right to make fun of them because of it. That's just another form of discrimination, which also has a name - heightism. Attitudes like yours are the reason that society treats people of heights outside the "norm" with contempt, leading to ostracisation in partner selection, employment and salary discrimination, and a litany of "jokes" in the media. Let's face it, you're just a bully.
Illya Kuryakin
Guest
Harry, is the suit and creepy comment an attempt at flirting?
Harry Jones
Expert
Or maybe we got the exact point
DavSA
Guest
Could be worse DA . Just imagine living in the USA right now.