I feel like I’m beating a dead horse whenever I talk about this which is why I usually try to avoid any posts containing or regarding Sedin hate because it’s not very productive of me to react to these things and fuel the fire.
Hate the Sedins because they suck, fine, but they have to be at least a little good at hockey because they won some awards and stuff, right? Hate the Sedins because they don’t live up to your expectations of what a ~great~ hockey player is suppose to be, fine, your prerogative, I probably feel the same way about a player you like. Hate the Sedins because they look alike and that throws you off, fine, biology class probably eludes you. I’m not asking for anyone to stop hating the Sedins, but can the sexist comments stop?
The League and the players in it occupy a socially constructed space where toughness and masculinity is valued both by the players and by the audience (you and I). So if you want to insult a guy, you call him a girl. Cindy Crosby.
See, there’s a paradox.
- Obviously, as others have said already, using the female gender as an insult is backwards in thinking. Same as calling someone a pussy (regrettably, I have done this before) and equating that with feminine weakness. Don’t be a pussy! Grow a pair!
- On the flip side, there are people—people like Alyonka—who decide to turn the tables on indignant fans and imply that she is actually using said nickname to empower women.
No.
You are part of this constructed space Alyonka, and I find it hard to believe that you don’t know the implications behind the name Sedin Sisters (Milbury Gate of 2011). You don’t get to say that it is our fault for taking it as an insult, just as you don’t get to decide how your words will affect other people. I sincerely doubt you were trying to ‘reclaim’ the word sisters. And if you were indeed trying to reclaim said word and empower women, then be clear about that next time (and actually mean it). Say it up front so you don’t sound like you’re pulling some half-ass excuse. There is a time and place for everything, and seeing as you are a ~social media host~ in charge of important ASG things such as hashtags and twitter chirps; recognize that and understand why what you say matters.
