Much controversy has been sparked over the recent media attention being bestowed on the American hurdler Lolo Jones.
Jones, who placed fourth in this Olympics’ 100-meters hurdle competition, has been a figure of debate since the New York Times wrote an scathing article about her reliance on image to win endorsement deals and garner national attention. Mac McClelland comes to her defense in an article for Reuters, shifting the blame from Jones to the media.
McClelland writes: “Even if she’d come in dead last, she wouldn’t have deserved the narrative framing that Longman gave her. She’s a victim, indeed, but of double standards and sexism – sexist double standards so culturally ingrained that even the newspaper of record will unabashedly print them.”
3 responses
So Michael Jordan never relied on his good looks?
I’m pretty sure Michael Jordan’s good looks had nothing to do with winning 6 NBA Championships, 6 Finals MVPS, 5 NBA MVPS, being a 14 time All Star, 10 time Scoring Champ, a Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, a NCAA Championship and induction in to the Hall of Fame among MANY other achievements.
He was the very best in his sport.
Right or wrong, we only know Lolo Jones’ name because she is an attractive woman who competes at the highest amateur level. She has never been successful (in terms of winning) or dominant in her sport. She has other FAR more successful American female contemporaries, but only the most ardent of track and field fans even know their names.
I think the claim that Jones is responsible for this treatment is dubious at best, I don’t blame her for trying to cash in while the options are still there, but it’s foolish to think that she would have even half the recognition she does if she weren’t as comely.
Yeah, she tried to use the system that exploits her and got pummeled for it. Not really surprising.
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