Who is an American? and Feminism in Sports

League of Their Own

This clip shows the Rockford Peaches singing in the locker room before a game. The song they sing and their actions while changing for the game can give insight to what it meant to be an American during WWII and also what role women had in society.

First off, this film reached a large audience, even becoming number one at the box office. Therefore, one can assume that it was received by both males and females. This particular scene demonstrates however, that these women are to be viewed by men. The little boy, Stilwell, has his eyes closed. He works as the signifier, but he signifies the male sex as a whole. His peaking through his hands, is the referent of men being able to view women as sexual objects.

In regards the link to Geena Davis' article, (Eye Candy is Not for Kids), it is interesting enough that Geena Davis actually plays the lead female character in the film. This film goes along with her article, as the story is all about females athletes, breaking perceived gender norms. Geena also points out that female screen writers make up only about 13%. This story was written by a team of women but rewritten for the screen by men.

Looking at this clip as a feminist critique, there are many things it is trying to say. If one was to define what it means to be women based on this particular clip (and the movie as a whole) it is quite clear. While they are playing baseball, they still have to play by "men's rules" so to speak. But there is a slight twist. They have to wear the revealing skirts so they remain appealing to men, which puts them in a vulnerable position for injuries from the sport itself. Being able to step out of the typical gender roles and into sports, they still need to hold on to their femininity. This is shown through the make up that most of the players are wearing, and also the clothes their are changing out of (leggings, etc). Evelyn Gardner demonstrates the duality of roles that is placed on women (particularly now in the new age as well as during war time with men away) to be breadwinner and mother. Ms. Cuthurt is the antithesis to what the era says is being female. When Jimmy Dugan slaps her bottom (a typical thing in male sports) he is treating her like a man, he then jokes and calls her "gorgeous". In his eyes, she is not attractive enough to be female. In addition, when Stillwell is playing around with the athletic tape, Dugan yells, "Get him away from the tape." What he is really saying is someone else take care of the kid, I am a man, it is not my job.

This clip, in a Post Modern view, also tries to answer what it means to be American. The song they sing epitomizes it all. "We are the members of the All-American league." Who is the we? They are all white, and the song breaks it down even more explicitly. "Canadians, Irish ones, and Swedes." Canadians are "Americans" although they are a neighboring country and to my knowledge did not make up a large immigrant contingent. The other two ethnic groups were common place in America society, (albeit the Irish's transition into acceptance is interesting in itself). It is the groups that do not get mentioned that not only demonstrates the current immigrants but also the ones who are "un-American". During WWII German-Americans and Asian-Americans experienced prejudice as their homelands were the enemy, while African-Americans, Native Americans and others still were just not accepted into society.


For the students: World Cup Barbie

Before showing the clip...
What does it mean to be a female, especially in sports?
What does it mean to be American?

Show the clip.

Ask the same questions.

One could say from the feminist perspective that this is very similar to League of Their Own. The Barbie dolls, and even the real actors in the advert are wearing makeup. Even Mia Hamm is wearing make-up even though she is a phenomenal athlete, and does not during an actual game. When the voice over comes in, the girl says "I can be champion of Women's World Cup Soccer." It is a common occurrence that those not in power need to explicitly define themselves. You would not hear a male say, "I can be champion of Men's World Cup Soccer." It would be just World Cup Soccer.

From a Post Modern angle, the question of who an American changes from the previous movie. The real people in the clip are of different ethnicities (or it appears). Also the dolls show a supposed variety of races (by different skin tones, hair colors, and names). It is important to note however another difference between this advert and the movie. In the movie the girls cheer when their "group" is mentioned. Now, the ethnic minorities are no longer mentioned. A color-blind approach is taken and they are all Americans, without regarding any of the differences between them.