Sidelined
Sports, Culture, and Being a Woman in America
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
“Sidelined is the feminist sports book we've all been waiting for.”
—Jessica Valenti
Shrill meets Brotopia in this personal and researched look at women's rights and issues through the lens of sports, from an award-winning sports journalist and women's advocate
In a society that is digging deep into the misogyny underlying our traditions and media, the world of sports is especially fertile ground. From casual sexism, like condescending coverage of women’s pro sports, to more serious issues, like athletes who abuse their partners and face only minimal consequences, this area of our culture is home to a vast swath of gender issues that apply to all of us—whether or not our work and leisure time revolve around what happens on the field.
No one is better equipped to examine sports through this feminist lens than sports journalist Julie DiCaro. Throughout her experiences covering professional sports for more than a decade, DiCaro has been outspoken about the exploitation of the female body, the covert and overt sexism women face in the workplace, and the male-driven toxicity in sports fandom. Now, through candid interviews, personal anecdotes, and deep research, she's tackling these thorny issues and exploring what America can do to give women a fair and competitive playing field in sports and beyond.
Covering everything from the abusive online environment at Barstool Sports to the sexist treatment of Serena Williams and professional women's teams fighting for equal pay and treatment, and looking back at pioneering women who first took on the patriarchy in sports media, Sidelined will illuminate the ways sports present a microcosm of life as a woman in America—and the power in fighting back.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Journalist DiCaro debuts with a sweeping takedown of misogyny in America's sports media and professional leagues. She describes the censure (from her employers) and online harassment (from sports fans) she receives when reporting on the sexual misconduct of athletes, and critiques her employers, including CBS Radio, for failing to hire diverse staffers and protect female employees from abuse. Though her primary focus is on media, DiCaro also looks at the unequal treatment of female pro athletes, and the ways in which organizations such as the Houston Astros normalize violence against women by signing players who have been suspended for domestic abuse and then "putting a moratorium" on how long journalists can report on the matter. DiCaro's investigative journalism chops shine through in her insightful interviews, and she crafts engrossing narratives out of historical events like the battle to get female reporters access to locker rooms after games. Ultimately, DiCaro believes that if media outlets, teams, and fans want to address the deeply entrenched culture of inequality in the way women are treated in sports, they need to "grow the fuck up." This bracing call to arms is a step in that direction.
Customer Reviews
Good book
Great read, especially for women who are new to the industry.
Garbage
Pure garbage written by a racist author. Don’t waste your money.