dear bbc breakfast show
I was watching your programme this morning, listening to the report on the resurgence of women’s roller derby, whilst enjoying my coffee – until I heard your reporter say something which made my jaw drop:
“*Should* women be involved in such a violent sport?”
I hate to be the one to have to break the news, but this is the year 2007. Women *should* be involved in whatever sport they damn well please – whether that be boxing, roller derby, rugby, or ballet.
Women *should* no longer be viewed as, or be implied to be delicate, dainty, helpless beings, too genteel for anything more vigorous than sitting around with a parasol. Women *should* be spoken about respectfully in the media, like the strong, passionate, and capable individuals they are.
If we can lead entire countries, raise families, run businesses, and serve in war, surely we *should* be able to survive a little weekend roller derby. Your reporter would do well to remember that.
Many thanks, yours sincerely, etc., etc…
(yes, i sent it!)
song of the day: josh ritter – girl in the war
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Comment by amity
13.03.2007 @ 09:44 am
Right on, sista! How annoying of them to speak like that of women in sports. One of my friends is huge into Roller Derby, she is the co-founder of her city’s team and beats the hell out of everyone every weekend. I’m sure she’d have a few choice words for the BBC about whether women should be involved in violent sports!
Comment by Anglofille
13.03.2007 @ 22:48 pm
i’m so glad you sent this!!!
Comment by Stacey
14.03.2007 @ 02:35 am
i’m going to roller derby this friday, wheeeeee!
Comment by andrea
14.03.2007 @ 14:37 pm
good for you! you’ll have to let us all know if you get a response!
Comment by Jen
14.03.2007 @ 18:01 pm
you’re so *violent* stacey!!
you could put a serious hurt on someone -that’s a quality i like in my friends!
Comment by Stacey
14.03.2007 @ 18:16 pm
heheh — I had a boyfriend who used to say, “now we see the violence inherent in the stacey” (ripping off monty python) whenever I was displaying violent tendencies, which was apparently often given how frequently I remember his saying it!