Cut Down The Net Then Pillow Fight
Self -discovery can be a good thing or a bad thing.
Good, because you might learn something about yourself. Bad, because you might learn something about yourself.
I’m going through a little bit of self-discovery right now. Believe it or not, I have BrettCajun to thank for it.
Because Tennessee (my team) and LSU (his team) are facing each other in the Final Four of the NCCA Women’s Basketball Championships, he suggested we both write related posts on our blogs before and after Sunday night’s game.
I told him that I would if something struck me to write about, because I don’t like to write unless I have something to say.
That got me thinking.
Why don’t I have something to say?
Tennessee is on the verge of possibly winning a National Championship in one of the major sports. I should have plenty to say. Lord knows I would have plenty to run on about if it was football or men’s basketball.
My first thought (although in hindsight maybe I should call it a defense) was that I probably don’t have that much to say because we’ve been down this road so many times before.
If they take the crown, it will be the eighth time for the Lady Vols. Eight times in 25 years of women’s championship games. And something like 17 of those 25 years, they’ve made it to the Final Four. (The men’s team has never in the history of a much older program made it past the Sweet Sixteen.) Pat Summit has the most wins of any coach in all of college basketball and her 30+ year career has been entirely at Tennessee.
Is it just too common an occurrence to get all that excited about? If Summit and her Lady Vols didn’t make it to the Final Four once again, would I have something to say then?
Truth is, probably not. Not much, anyway.
Because, I’m just not all that interested in women’s athletics. Not even in a sport that I love.
I’ve always been upfront about that fact. But, put in the perspective of an amazing program like the Lady Vols, I came to the realization that when it comes to sports, I think I may be a little bit sexist.
I’m not defending it. I’m not saying it’s alright. I’m not saying I like that about myself. I’m just saying that realized it.
I realize, yet I can’t rationalize why I feel that way.
You could ask me if women can make great athletes. You could ask me if pat Summit is the model coach as a winner, leader, and inspiration. You could ask me if women have the guts and drive to win at all costs. You could ask me if any one of the Lady Vols could kick my ass on the hardwood. You could ask me if I am proud to say Tennessee has the premiere women’s basketball team.
The answer to all those questions, and most others like it, would be yes.
Yet, none of it excites me as much as just the possibility of the men’s team making it to the Elite Eight or the football team simply beating Florida (let alone a championship). And if the women were to lose this close to the final game, it would not hit me as hard as when the men lost last week, much further from the prize.
The thing is, this sexism does not exist in other parts of my life.
Sure, I believe there are differences in the sexes, and those differences should be embraced and celebrated. Like if, instead of high fives and locker-room towel snapping, the women’s team’s post-game celebrations involve pillow fights, singing into their hairbrushes, and somehow end up with everyone kissing, then so be it. But in the big scheme of things, men and women are equal and equally capable.
I’m not really coming to any resolution of this post. I guess because I have come to no resolution about my realization.
But I do hope the Lady Vols are all over the Tigresses tonight and send them back to the swamps (what do tigers have to do with the bayou, anyway? I thought cats hate water) with their tails between their legs.
So, that counts for something, right?
April 6th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Why should not having anything to say stop you? If everybody did that, the internet would be empty.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Yeah, you can count me in too. We both have something in common with society, because society is sexist too. Few people care if the Lady Vols win instead of the men, and while that is sad and perhaps wrong that is reality. I feel a bit guiltier than you because I am betraying my sex and the benefits of Title 9 that I helped fight for back in the day.
April 6th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I understand your point of view and if womens’ sports don’t grab you why have to write about it. I believe you are not sexist in any other area, but unless you are keeping secret, you are ’sexist’ in your choice of partner. Would a woman be equal to a man to you in that department?
April 6th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I did not know you were going to post anything. What a surprise! You should be very proud of the Tennessee Lady Vols. They are the most successful Tennessee team that ever was! I am so revved up for this game!
After I do my Jiggy Dance in a few hours, I’ll post something about the game before and after.
Glad you participated.
And hey… you can still participate in the Jiggy Dance Part Deux contest as well.
April 6th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
You are so right about self discovery. As an old radical feminist I have struggled with the same issue.
Your post has made me imagine a MEN’s lockeroom celebration consisting of pillow fights, singing into hairbrushes and everyone ending up kissing each other. Thanks.
April 6th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Good comment Brett. We indeed have a right to be proud of the most successful coach and women’s program in the country.
Now Tony, I am going to make your perspective sexist in a different way. Consider the men’s season a “first time having sex with a new guy” thing. Thrilling, but awkward and not quite perfect. Now consider the ladies as ” we finally got it right and it feels good every time.”. Just sayin’…………
April 6th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
UGH. Well… so much for peaking your interest in women’s basketball. This has to be the ugliest game I have ever seen both teams play. They are shooting piss poor because they are shooting as they are flying in the air. They need to be more set before attempting these shots. 22-18 Halftime score. UGH.
April 6th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
OH MY GAWD! THOSE DAMN VOLS! LSU was winning by one point with 7 seconds left. UT missed a shot and then scored with 7/10ths of a second left. GRRRR…. those damn Lady Vols!
Congrats. It was a slugfest.
April 6th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
It’s GREAT to be Tennesse Vol!
April 7th, 2008 at 12:02 am
It’s GREAT to be a Tennessee Vol! (sorry, I can’t spell when I am excited)
April 7th, 2008 at 8:53 am
I’m not Catholic, but I will confess to being a MUCH bigger fan of men’s BB than women’s. I live in a suburb of Michael Jordan-City—who could blame me? And they used to wear those wonderful short-shorts (legs!!). Like Sue, of course I feel guilty. Oh, I feel so much better now.
However, I have also been a long-time fan of the Lady Vols, and the amazing teams they have had thru the years. I also claim local pride in the fabulous Candace Parker, who hails from a neighboring suburb, and whose career I have followed since she was in high school.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Tony, I feel you. I can’t get into the WNBA, but I feel they’re right to be there. I don’t even want to go watch a game (well, I don’t like watching basketball like that unless it’s the Bulls and it’s 1993 or so). I feel you. Congrats to the Lady Vols for winning! It’s usually between them and UConn right? And a lot of female basketball players would have welcomed the kissing of their teammates, because a good number I know are lesbians.
April 8th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Now, Tony… Have you ever made it down to Thomspon-Boling for a Lady Vols game? It’s an ELECTRIC feeling. It’s even more personal and enervating than a match at Neyland. I’m not much of a basketball fan (though I nearly cried when my alma mater LOST the NCAA championship last night), but I’d rather watch a women’s game than a men’s game ANY DAY. The men showboat, the men just go back and forth. The women play harder, play smarter, play DEFENSE in the first half, and play more like a team- Lady Vols basketball is what basketball should be all about.
April 12th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I’m not saying your realization doesn’t bear further investigation however, I don’t necessarily agree what you are describing is sexism. Do you have a negative view of woman? Do you feel men are superior? If you can answer yes to either then it is rooted in sexism.
I think the answer is much simpler. You relate more to men because you are one. You also are gay so there is an attraction factor. Doesn’t mean you can’t broaden your horizons but I wouldn’t call you a sexist.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Tony: You remind me of the first time I ever watched the New York Open Tennis Tournament. Early 80s, tennis was a very hot sport and small wonder as this was the era of Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Chris Everett Lloyd, Billie Jean King. I knew all the names but I never followed the sport. So I’m in a situation with a lot of time to watch TV and I ended up watching this tournament. For two days I watched men’s tennis and I really got into. The speed of everything, the power, the intensity, the sweat. I found it exhilarating. On the third day I finally watch the women play. I was stunned. It was like watching the men’s game on half-speed. Slower, softer, shorter in duration. You’ve had sex with both women and men. Think about why you prefer the one over the other. Maybe you’ll see why you’re not as interested in something equally physical as women’s sports.