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.

Outlines

00:00

🏋️‍♀️ Inclusivity in Sports: Challenging Gender Norms

The speaker reflects on the experience of watching the CrossFit Games and the idea of men and women competing together in sports. As a woman and athlete, she leads a sports group called Kunai at St. John's College, which is open to women, trans, and non-binary individuals. The paragraph discusses the evolving definitions of gender and the need to rethink traditional gender categories in sports. It emphasizes the transformative benefits of sports for all, regardless of gender or sex, and the importance of challenging societal norms and conceptions about gender in sports.

05:02

🤔 Questioning the Concept of an Even Playing Field

This paragraph delves into the complexities of gender dynamics in sports, urging the audience to challenge their preconceived notions about gender. It addresses the concern of fairness in sports when considering the participation of all gender expressions. The speaker argues against the oversimplification of athletic success based on hormones and highlights the multifaceted factors contributing to an athlete's performance. The paragraph also critiques the idea of an even playing field, suggesting that it is a myth and that competition inherently involves differences among participants.

10:02

🌟 Redefining Athletic Excellence Beyond Gender

The final paragraph of the script proposes a radical reimagining of sports participation by suggesting an inclusionary system that transcends gender. It posits that athletes could be categorized based on their skills and goals rather than their gender, fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment. The speaker also redefines what it means to be a great athlete, emphasizing inspiration, representation, and the potential to motivate others, rather than solely focusing on traditional measures of success like points scored or speed.

Keywords

💡Crossfit Games

The Crossfit Games is an annual sports competition that showcases the best athletes in Crossfit, a fitness regimen that incorporates various functional movements. In the script, the speaker watched the Crossfit Games on YouTube, specifically a 'swim paddle swim' event, which sparked a reflection on gender dynamics in sports and the idea of men and women competing together.

💡Gender Paradigm

The term 'gender paradigm' refers to the traditional understanding and categorization of gender into male and female. The script discusses how this paradigm is 'in trouble' as it does not accommodate the diverse spectrum of gender identities, such as transgender and non-binary individuals, which challenges the conventional separation of athletes into men's and women's categories.

💡Trans

Trans is short for transgender, which describes individuals who have transitioned from one gender to another. The speaker defines this term in the script to clarify the inclusion criteria for the sports group 'Kunai,' emphasizing the need for broader definitions that go beyond the binary to include diverse gender identities.

💡Non-Binary

Non-binary is a term used to describe individuals who do not identify exclusively as male or female, either moving between genders or identifying as neither. The script frequently mentions non-binary individuals as part of the group that the speaker's sports group 'Kunai' supports, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in sports.

💡Kunai

Kunai is the name of the sports group at St. John's College that the speaker captains. It is inclusive of women, trans, and non-binary athletes. The script discusses how Kunai had to expand its definition to be more inclusive, reflecting a broader societal shift towards recognizing and accommodating diverse gender identities in sports.

💡Olympism

Olympism is a set of principles and ideals that guide the Olympic movement, emphasizing the practice of sport as a human right. The script references the fourth pillar of Olympism from the Olympic Charter, which the speaker uses to argue for the necessity of redefining who can participate in sports to ensure that everyone can experience the benefits of being an athlete.

💡Aggression in Sports

Aggression in sports refers to the competitive and sometimes confrontational behaviors exhibited by athletes during competition. The script explores the societal discomfort with men and women being aggressive together in sports, suggesting that it is seen as 'dangerous territory' due to cultural perceptions of violence between genders.

💡Cultural Norms

Cultural norms are the unwritten rules and expectations that govern behavior in a society. The script discusses how sports often involve the violation of these norms, such as personal space invasion and competitive behaviors, which are generally discouraged outside of sports but are part of the competitive spirit within them.

💡Inclusivity

Inclusivity is the practice of including and accommodating all individuals, regardless of their differences. The speaker advocates for an inclusive sports system that does not segregate athletes by gender but instead by skill and goals, aiming to create a more equitable and accessible environment for all athletes.

💡Even Playing Field

An 'even playing field' is a concept that suggests fairness in competition by controlling for variables that could give an unfair advantage. The script challenges this idea by arguing that there is no such thing as a completely even playing field, and that focusing on fairness to the extreme could undermine the purpose of sports.

💡Trans Athlete

A trans athlete is an individual who has transitioned from one gender to another and participates in sports. The script discusses the challenges and misconceptions faced by trans athletes, particularly regarding the belief that they have an unfair advantage due to hormonal differences, and calls for a reevaluation of how we perceive and accommodate trans athletes in competitive sports.

Highlights

The speaker watched the CrossFit Games on YouTube, specifically the swim paddle swim event, which sparked thoughts on gender-inclusive sports.

The concept of men and women playing together or against each other in sports is explored.

The speaker is a woman and an athlete who captains a sports group at St. John's College called Kunai, which is inclusive of women, trans, and non-binary athletes.

Kunai has expanded its definition of participants due to the evolving understanding of gender.

The traditional separation of athletes into male and female categories is questioned as it may not be inclusive for all.

The Olympic Charter's fourth pillar is cited, emphasizing sport as a human right for all, regardless of gender.

The speaker challenges the audience to reconsider their conceptions of gender in sports.

The potential for violence in mixed-gender sports is discussed as a societal concern.

Sports are described as a space where athletes can defy social norms, which can be both exciting and troubling.

The speaker addresses the discomfort and difficulty of discussing gender dynamics in sports.

The concern about fairness in sports when including athletes of all gender expressions is raised.

The role of testosterone and male characteristics in athletic performance is questioned for being overemphasized.

The speaker argues against the idea of an even playing field, suggesting it is a flawed concept.

Dr. Rachel McKinnon's perspective on the unfair advantage debate in sports is mentioned, challenging the notion.

A proposal for an inclusionary system in sports without gender separation is presented.

The idea of categorizing athletes by skill and goals rather than gender is suggested for better team dynamics.

The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to think about what makes a great athlete, beyond just physical abilities.

Transcripts

last summer i had the opportunity of

watching the crossfit games

not in person unfortunately but on

youtube

in a particular event a swim paddle swim

the men and women started and played

together

this is where my second thought moment

began

[Music]

what if men and women always play

together

or even against each other

i am a woman and an athlete and

alongside five other women i captain a

sports group here at st john's college

called kunai

kunai is available to women trans and

non-binary athletes

now some of these terms might be new for

us so i'm going to define some of them

the term trans is used to describe

somebody who has transitioned from one

gender or sex into another

the term non-binary which you'll hear me

say a lot is used to describe somebody

who moves between genders freely

or has no gender at all

kunai has recently had to expand its

definition of who can participate

because this gendered paradigm is in

trouble

beyond saint john's college

we separate men and women boys and girls

into these categories when they play

but this doesn't work for everybody

we cannot separate athletes into men and

women as we've so strictly defined them

because there are people who do not fit

into these categories

i want everyone

regardless of their gender or sex to

experience the transformative

challenging

healthy and fun aspects of being an

athlete

the fourth pillar of olympism in the

olympic charter states that the practice

of sport is a human right

we all need to be active

we might not all become olympians but we

all need to be active

however if we don't change our

conceptions about who can play and where

we will continue to deny a crucial part

of being human

so if this is such a problem why haven't

men and women always play together

[Music]

i think there's an unexpected reason

for men to be aggressive with men

and women with women is one thing but

for men and women to be aggressive

together

is another

we feel like we're treading into

dangerous territory

violence between men and women is a

serious issue we're trying to combat in

our culture

why am i characterizing sports as

violent or aggressive

a minute ago wasn't i just talking about

how competitive and fun they could be

[Music]

at my four years at st john's college

i've played many different sports

but i was raised in basketball i've

played for almost over a decade and when

i tell people this they have two

reactions they either say nancy i love

basketball let's play some time

or they wish i'd never mentioned it

[Music]

why is a sport

polarizing this way

when i'm playing basketball i'm doing

things i generally wouldn't do i can

invade somebody's personal space i can

swap the ball out of their hands i can

be bombastic and loud and gloat

in general i'm given license to defy our

social rules

and inherent to the design of many games

is this violation of our cultural norms

no wonder it bothers us so much

sometimes athletes come to kunai

thinking that it won't be as rough

as our co-ed sports here at st john's

college

they are wrong

[Music]

we think that by playing with people who

have the same physicality as us or the

same bodies as us that we're less likely

to get hurt

but this isn't the case either

what it depends on most is the relative

skill of the athletes on the court or

field around you

risk of getting injured

is inherent to sports

whether it be a man a woman a trans or

non-binary athlete

so before i move on to my next point i

want to address some of the emotions

that might be coming up

gender dynamics is really difficult to

talk about

it's quite uncomfortable

and ultimately i'm not wedded to any of

the ideas i'm telling you but this

conversation needs to happen

it is incredibly important

but i want all of you to challenge your

ideas on gender what have you been told

about men women trans and non-binary

people that is not useful or true

if some of these ideas bother you

as they might

i want all of you to reflect on them

because they are intelligent ones

these feelings will tell you a lot about

yourself

so as i was preparing for today and

having con conversations with many

different athletes

[Music]

one issue kept coming up

the concern about the uneven playing

field

will it be fair for people of all gender

expressions to play together

is it fair that everyone will be judged

together

through selective media we are led to

believe that people with more

testosterone and more male

characteristics will perform better

end of story

this is not always the case

there are so many more factors that go

into an athlete's success or failure

than just their hormones

they are not the be all end-all

there are trans and non-binary athletes

who with these testosterone differences

who perform average

average

among their peers

though disgruntled parents

athletes and media would have you

believe differently

when athletic organizations try to

control for these individual variances

ultimately they fail

because none of us

have ever been equal

athletes have never been equal

competition is designed to highlight

this

some people will win

some people will come really close

and some will lose

the issue really begins with the idea

that there is an even playing field

at all

when we're trying when we're measuring

athletic competitions what we're trying

to control for and make sure that we're

measuring is athletic performance and

not some other ability

but what does it mean to have an even

playing field

what we're really concerned with is

fairness

wouldn't we have to control for all of

the variables

make sure nobody's getting an unfair

advantage

should we mandate that coaches train all

of their athletes the same

all athletes should diet the same

protein powder and supplements should be

outlawed

should athletes with prodigious height

weight or muscle mass be barred from

competition because of their genetics

if we take the idea of the even playing

field to its logical extreme

everyone becomes the same

and the purposes of sport

like excellence

achievement

and fun

become irrelevant and meaningless

when a trans athlete

performs and does well maybe even wins

it's because of their hormones

but when a trans athlete

loses or performs average

nothing is said about it

i think dr rachel mckinnon

put it best she's a professor and a

trans athlete

in her recent article in the new york

times called i won a world championship

some people aren't happy about it

she writes if you think i have an unfair

competitive advantage consider this

i lose most of my races

how can i have an unfair advantage over

her if she beats me most of the time

and why should my right to compete

be contingent on not winning

there are now

and in the future we'll continue to be

really excellent and talented trans and

non-binary athletes

but as things stand

there's not enough room for them to

compete

so

instead of keeping our exclusionary

system what if we create a new

inclusionary system

no gender necessary

instead of separating athletes by their

gender we can separate them by their

skills and goals

the people who want to be really elite

and work their bodies and be highly

competitive

they can play together

and the people who want to be active and

have fun through competition but not

necessarily become elite

they can play together

by putting people of the same goals and

skills together

we can create better teams that work for

everyone

earlier i asked you what it might look

like

for men and women to play together

i also want to ask you what what it

means to be a great athlete

think about some great athletes you

might have heard of or know

are they great because they score a lot

of points or they run really fast

that could be part of it

but i think it's only a part

i think what we really mean

is something like

this athlete inspires me

this athlete looks like me

and they have shown me the wealth of

potential in a human being

this athlete has emboldened me to try

harder in my life

many more people than we think

can be that

if they are given the chance to show it

thank you