Why gendered athletics can't continue forever | Nancy Hilton | TEDxStJohnsCollege

Summary

The speaker, a female athlete and captain of the sports group 'Kunai' at St. John's College, discusses the evolving concept of gender in sports. She advocates for an inclusive system that transcends traditional gender divisions, emphasizing the importance of skill and goals over physical attributes. The talk challenges conventional notions of fairness in sports, highlighting the complexity of gender dynamics and the need for a more nuanced understanding of what it means to be an athlete. It calls for a reevaluation of our perceptions on gender and a broader acceptance of diverse identities in competitive sports.

Takeaways

• 🏋️‍♀️ The speaker watched the CrossFit Games, specifically a mixed-gender event, on YouTube and it sparked a thought about the possibility of men and women always playing together in sports.
• 🤔 The speaker, a woman and an athlete, questions the traditional gendered sports paradigm and the need for an inclusive approach, especially as the captain of 'Kunai', a sports group at St. John's College open to women, trans, and non-binary athletes.
• 🏷️ Definitions of 'trans' and 'non-binary' are provided to clarify terms that might be new to some, emphasizing the importance of recognizing diverse gender identities in sports.
• 🔄 'Kunai' had to expand its definition of participants, reflecting a broader societal shift away from rigid gender categorizations in sports.
• 🚫 The speaker argues against the strict separation of athletes into male and female categories, advocating for a more inclusive approach that acknowledges the existence of individuals who do not fit traditional gender categories.
• 🏅 The Olympic Charter's fourth pillar is cited, emphasizing sport as a human right and the need for an active lifestyle for all, regardless of gender.
• 🤝 The speaker suggests that the idea of men and women being aggressive together in sports is seen as 'dangerous territory', reflecting societal concerns about violence between genders.
• 🏀 Personal anecdotes about playing basketball highlight how sports can defy social norms and allow for behaviors that would not be acceptable outside the context of the game.
• 🤕 The assumption that co-ed sports are less rough is challenged, with the speaker asserting that the risk of injury is more about skill level than gender.
• 🧐 The speaker encourages the audience to challenge their preconceived notions about gender, particularly in the context of sports, and to reflect on why certain ideas might be uncomfortable.
• 🏆 The concept of an 'even playing field' is scrutinized, with the argument that focusing on fairness in sports should not lead to an exclusionary system but rather an inclusive one that accounts for a variety of factors beyond gender.
• 🌟 The potential for a new system that categorizes athletes by skill and goal rather than gender is proposed, aiming to create a more inclusive and fair sports environment for all.

Q & A

What event inspired the speaker to question the traditional separation of men and women in sports?

The speaker was inspired by a CrossFit Games event called 'swim paddle swim,' where men and women competed together.

What is the name of the sports group the speaker captains at St. John's College?

The speaker captains a sports group called Kunai.

Who is Kunai open to, and what does it represent?

Kunai is open to women, trans, and non-binary athletes, representing an inclusive space for athletes of various gender identities.

What does the term 'trans' describe in the context of the script?

The term 'trans' describes individuals who have transitioned from one gender or sex to another.

How does the speaker define the term 'non-binary'?

The term 'non-binary' is used to describe individuals who move between genders freely or have no gender at all.

Why has Kunai had to expand its definition of participants?

Kunai had to expand its definition because the traditional gendered paradigm is in trouble and doesn't work for everyone.

What is the fourth pillar of Olympism as stated in the Olympic Charter?

The fourth pillar of Olympism is that the practice of sport is a human right.

Why does the speaker believe it's important to challenge our conceptions about who can play sports?

The speaker believes it's important because our current conceptions may deny a crucial part of being human and exclude certain individuals from the transformative aspects of being an athlete.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to the current exclusionary system in sports?

The speaker suggests creating an inclusionary system with no gender necessary, separating athletes by skills and goals instead of gender.

What does the speaker argue about the concept of an 'even playing field' in sports?

The speaker argues that the concept of an even playing field is flawed because it assumes that all athletes should be equal, which negates the purpose of sport, such as excellence and achievement.

How does the speaker address the concern about fairness when all genders compete together?

The speaker suggests that fairness is about athletic performance, not controlling for all variables, and that competition is designed to highlight differences in performance.

What does the speaker mean by 'athletes have never been equal'?

The speaker means that in sports, there will always be winners, those who come close, and those who lose, and that this inequality is part of the nature of competition.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of discussing gender dynamics in sports?

The speaker views the discussion of gender dynamics as incredibly important, even though it is uncomfortable, and encourages challenging preconceived ideas about gender in sports.

How does the speaker define a great athlete?

The speaker defines a great athlete as someone who not only excels in their sport but also inspires, represents potential, and emboldens others to try harder in life.