Torygraph blog on the wrongs of women's judo

[AnnieLobeseder]

Here

Everydaysexism has a bit of a Twitter campaign going to get an apology from the Torygraph.

Do you ever have a day when the sexism is just everywhere, you know, even more so than usual? Today has been one of those days, I've been arguing with misogynistic knobends on the internet all day, and I just want to crawl into bed and weep at the attitudes people still hold. How will we ever get any respect as human beings? I just can't see it.

[charitygirl]

Just read this after watching the highlight's of Gemma's day. This man must be some kind of freak, as well as a misogynist, to have that reaction, and not great admiration. Bloody weirdo.

[tribpot]

Jesus Christ. This is a martial ART. And they are athletes, not soft-limbed princesses.

I'm not massively keen on any of these rather combative sports myself, but they are contests of skill with no intention to injure the other contestant. Why on earth would the Torygraph publish this person's opinion?

I liked the comment about having a pole dancing competition instead - so much more feminine.

[Jinsei]

Oh FFS! So he doesn't think it's very ladylike...? Do people like this really still exist?

Unbelievable

[DraggleTailedWench]

"and I realise this will probably sound appallingly sexist ?"

At least he said one thing right! [motherly positive face hides disgust]

[tribpot]

Thing is though that's not an excuse, is it? "I realise this will sound appallingly racist but I just don't think the black athletes should compete because ... " - it doesn't make it an acceptable sentence just because you acknowledge that you are displaying prejudice.

[MMMarmite]

Wow. Am truly gaping. Seems the telegraph have invented a time machine and started employing 19th century 'gentlemen'. Am too disbelieving and amused to be angry.

[TeiTetua]

Judo is OK, but I can't get used to women's boxing. Actually I think it's obscene when men do it, and I'd rather see equality arrive in the form of nobody battering away at anyone else.

[AnnieLobeseder]

Thanks you MNHQ for Tweeting this. You have somewhat restored my faith in the point of the feminist cause after a ling hard day of awful sexism.

[SardineQueen]

Good lord

i saw Gemma competing against the american woman - world champion or something - by accident - can you tell I'm not very into sports But olympics is on in the background and I saw it and my reaction, not having seen it before was WOW! they're really strong! they're really properly doing it they're so knackered. That's amazing. GO GEMMA! etc etc

So much so I told my dad all about how good it was and how annoyed I was that the commentator called these two women built like women, sweating, keeping going, determined etc GIRLS and I told DH about seeing it as well and how GOOD it was...

And this dickhead writes this?

FFS

[SardineQueen]

I mean obviously they would really properly be doing it but they were so clearly working so hard and giving it their all IYSWIM it was just so impressive.

[wasabipeanut]

Sweet Lord. Just read the whole thing to DH and he's as appalled as I am. Do people get paid to write this shit?

OTOH the Everyday Sexism site is excellent.

[AnnieLobeseder]

Isn't it fantastic, wasabi? I love posting there, to get those daily annoying sexist incidents off my chest and into print. So very cathartic.

[eurochick]

Could someone tell this twat they are not girls they are WOMEN? Gloriously pure, naked, fierce, animalistic aggressive WOMEN. Who happen to be very good at their chosen sport.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I just saw this and ranted. What an utter twat.

Let's remember some good things about women's judo, then ...

like a woman with an injury stopping her walking properly competing and winning her fight?

Or her competitor refusing to go for her injured leg out of a sense of what's right?

Or the second woman, Gemma Gibbons, having got into Judo because her mother supported and encouraged her to get into the sport?

Or the American, Kayla Harrison, who survived sexual abuse from her coach, saw him put in prison for ten years, and came through it?

Or her coach, whom she says saved her life, and who obviously doesn't subscribe to any of the misogynistic bollocks about sexual abuse we hear too much about?

Or Harrison, in the final, signalling to the ref that a point attributed to her was unfair?

Or two women hugging each other after the finals?

From where I stand, it is quite clear that these women are capable of strength and skill, but also a lot of other good qualities like fairness and courage and affection for people who've supported them ... this article is just a mean-spirited attempt to spoil that and it makes me furious.

[DeathByChocolate01]

What a twat! My first reaction on seeing the judo (I'm another who saw it for the first time today) was "wow, that looks like fun, I want a go!" and now I'm looking online to see if there's anywhere in my area that offers classes. I am going to resist looking at the everyday sexism site tonight, because I know it will make my blood boil and I won't be able to sleep!

[MrsMcNulty]

OMFG that blog is unbelievable. I was watching Gemma on a big screen with DD (4) today, who said of her "I want to be like her" and I was proud that my soft limbed little darling was enjoying watching a woman excel at a sport so much.

Have bought some paralympics tickets as a direct result!

[AnnieLobeseder]

Woo hoo! My first ever Discussion of the Day! Thank you Mr Torygraph Twat!

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

And well deserved annie!

[AnnieLobeseder]

He would probably go green if he knew that I (and my 7 and 4yo DDs) do karate because I think judo is too soft!!!

[DraggleTailedWench]

tribpot - that was not my intention, my reaction like all others is of disgust. I meant that he was right in that he was being sexist, not that it was an excuse!

[tribpot]

Your limbs are clearly not of the requisite softness, Annie. Shame upon you!

[SardineQueen]

DeathByChocolate go for it! I thought that too but my gammy legs unfortunately would not be keen on being knocked out from under me... It looked brilliant... So GO FOR IT!!!!

[AnnieLobeseder]

I'm well 'ard, me. Well, underneath the chocolate-induced squidgy top layer anyway.

[Tomjoules]

Shocking. I was so moved by the sportsmanship and passion with which the women participated today. I echo all said above. It was fantastic.

Most amusing comment on torygraph about competitive knitting!

[Northernlurker]

I've just been reading Gemma's story. Her mother parented her alone and died when she was only 17. Gemma studied and worked part time before being helped by funding. She is an amazing example of female strength and resiliance to us and our daughters. Mr Brown really, really needs to get a grip of himself.
Gemma - if you read this just know we think you rock and you did your precious mum so, so proud today!