One persistent theme across this week’s readings is the role
of media in the proliferation of definitions of the “Other”, and the
impact of media on what becomes the dominant normative ideology concerning these dangerous "Others", be they black, gay, bad mothers, outspoken women, aka anyone who defies the norm. As George Chauncey, Jr.(1993) posits:
The postwar consensus thus maintained that to be sexually "normal" was to behave in a way the dominant culture considered not only socially acceptable and moral, but also statistically average and "mature;"... Failure to adhere to the sexual conventions, moral standards, and (supposed) majority practices of one's culture made one a deviate.
Given that Michael Sam recently made a ripple in the news world with the prospect of his becoming the first openly gay NFL player, should he be drafted, let’s consider the continued role media plays in redefining societal perceptions of stigmatized peoples. As expected, several media outlets, especially those of the conservative variety, have quickly revived the refrain of homosexuality as a threat to “true” athletes (what if they have to shower with a gay player?!?), along with the familiar “think of the children” alarms, both tactics nauseatingly familiar from our readings.
The postwar consensus thus maintained that to be sexually "normal" was to behave in a way the dominant culture considered not only socially acceptable and moral, but also statistically average and "mature;"... Failure to adhere to the sexual conventions, moral standards, and (supposed) majority practices of one's culture made one a deviate.
Given that Michael Sam recently made a ripple in the news world with the prospect of his becoming the first openly gay NFL player, should he be drafted, let’s consider the continued role media plays in redefining societal perceptions of stigmatized peoples. As expected, several media outlets, especially those of the conservative variety, have quickly revived the refrain of homosexuality as a threat to “true” athletes (what if they have to shower with a gay player?!?), along with the familiar “think of the children” alarms, both tactics nauseatingly familiar from our readings.
In his February 10, 2014 broadcast of the Daily Show, John Stewart skillfully
deconstructed the controversy surrounding Michael Sam’s announcement in a brief, yet hard-hitting, 4:24
min segment. Here is the full link for your enjoyment, Daily Show Michael Sam Segment, but for now let us narrow in on the concluding
comparison which speaks directly to this week’s readings. Conveniently, the
internet has already created a panel for us, starting with a news correspondent's report that Sports Illustrated has already spoken with a number of teams who are looking to avoid the "controversy" of picking an openly gay athlete:
How is it that partner preference is just too much? The sarcasm dripping from every line John Stewart delivers shreds the conflation of homosexuality (and by extension all non-heterosexual orientations) with the widespread category of deviant, a traditional line of thinking left over from the postwar sex crime frenzy days in our recent past. By running through a list of agreeably serious offenses with severe consequences for people other than the athlete involved, Stewart highlights the absurdity of conflating being gay as something worthy of a moral uproar from any NFL team.
On a related note, check out this video as well: Texas News Anchor. I was blown away. We fear that which we do not know.
I enjoyed the Texas anchorman's interview the very next day with Ellen Degeneres, who flew him out immediately to be on her show. She praised him as a hero, while his thrilled and proud wife sat in the live studio audience. Viewers were energized. Seems like daytime talk show TV is more open-minded and accepting than the NFL?
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