Race in Sports

The movie Salute presented a very interesting narrative in the lives of three runners. Two were African American and one was white. I was impressed by the way they came together to stand up for equal rights for all. Equality is a difficult dimension to create in sport. Everyone has a different idea of what is fair. For example doping, gender rights, and racial issues all fall under this category.
    Is it fair for one athlete to take a drug to enhance his performance while his competitors do not? Of course not. One of the toughest parts of ensuring equality in sport is determining where to draw the line. How much substance is too much? Daily vitamins and prescriptions are not illegal, but even just take these simple things can enhance one's performance. Mentioned before is the concept of gene doping. If in the future we have the ability to create children before they are even born with ideal genes there will be trouble when it comes time to compete with children who are not made in laboratories.
    Equality also touches on sexual and gender issues. It is an accepted belief that boys are better suited for sports than girls and that is why they compete in different divisions. It is clearly evident boys are stronger than girls, have more muscle, and are faster.  What about the people who change genders. I feel that if a man has a sex change to a woman he should have to compete in the field with the men, even though he calls himself a women. Women who have sex changes, however I feel should compete with the men after a sex change. They have been taking testosterone and therefore will have different body types than the normal women. Last class, we talked of gender testing. I do not believe that is something we need to do until at least the elite level of sport is hit.  I remember on my youth soccer team there was a girl with short hair. One game the opposing coach demanded to see her soccer card to prove she was a girl. My poor 8-year old teammate was humiliated and hurt.
   Race also plays an interesting role in equality. I believe African Americans are better than whites in numerous sports such as distance running and basketball. That being said I still believe we should compete on the same field. In my eyes they are fortunate to have that added ability and should no way be taken away from them. It is the same idea of a tall versus short basketball player. We do not need to create two different leagues in basketball: one for the player over 5'6 and one for the players under it. That is getting ridiculous.
   What makes sports exciting is to see fair competition. Drawing the line for fair competition though is getting harder and harder. If regulations try to divide up sports into more equal playing fields based on every different category lines just get messy and there is difficulty determining a true champion. Lets keep the fields as open as possible and if someone is born with a natural gift so be it. What I do not want to see though, is someone after the fact taking a drug or getting a sex change to better themselves in sports.

Promoting Women's Sports with Sexual Appeal

Its a shared belief by many that men are just plain better at sports. Although I am a female I will not argue this. I would much rather go watch the skillful of a men's professional basketball team than a females. Popularity of women's sports has grown in recent years, although it still lacks far behind men. In order to raise popularity, I feel sports have been sexualizing female sports. Skimpier uniforms and hot shots of models on sports magazines are a common occurrence. Now young girls are able to cheer on the new, hot soccer player they idealize. And men of course, are attracted to the toned bodies of elite athletes.

Is this wrong though? These females work hard for their bodies. I don't find it wrong when Brandi Chastain ripped off her shirt in celebration after scoring the winning goal. If the females are comfortable showing their bodies to the public then I feel its fine. Its the 21st century. Pornography is oh so popular nowadays, so the athlete promoting their bodies in sexy shots is not nearly as scandalous.

McDonalds is Guilty??

    I have seen the movie Supersize Me before and am not a big fan of it. The movie I feel wants to place blame of the obesity epidemic on McDonalds. McDonalds is just another business trying to bring in as much money as possible. Some people try to say its McDonalds fault they are fat and unhealthy. But McDonalds just like every other big business is swayed by demand. If people demanded healthier foods they would provide it. They offer salads and fresh-fit meals, but the hamburger and fries are still more popular. Put simply, people just do not want to take responsibility for their own actions.
    Americans can eat out and be healthy. They can also stay at home, and eat a more fattening, calorie-dense meal than if they were to go out. It is all what a person contentiously decides to put in his mouth. Nowadays, we are educated from a young age that fast food is not good for us. Therefore, when we overindulge in greasy, fried foods we cannot blame the company that made it. It is the same as if one began smoking, got lung cancer and blamed the poor farmers growing tobacco. He knew the consequences when he smoked those thousands of cigarettes. The farmers are just trying to make ends meet by providing what society demands. Also note that he would have to smoke thousands of cigarettes before reeking the consequences of tobacco. It is the same for fast food. One hamburger is not going to make you fat, but eating them day in and out will. My point being, you are contentiously deciding time after time again to make the unhealthy choice. You have plenty of opportunity along the way to change your habits.
    I wish Americans could take responsibility for their actions and for the good of themselves to eat right. It seems as if it is in our culture its easy to point fingers. Hopefully, the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle will catch on. When citizens begin demanding nutritious foods the fast food joints in response will offer healthier options.