Controversy has surrounded Barack Obama’s presidency from its beginnings. To add to the negative energy circulating about his ethnic origin and opinions on healthcare, we must now add sexism to the chart. For some Americans, some things can’t be just for boys.
Obama’s recreational activity has been catching media attention ever since the beginning of his campaign; we all know he is an avid lover and player of basketball.
Recently, Obama has been scheduling basketball games and has chosen to invite members of his cabinet as well as some members of Congress. The problem is that all of the invitees have been male. Is this a clear indicator that our president is sexist?
The fact of the matter is that guys like to do things with just “the guys.” Wanting to do things with people of your own gender does not make you sexist. I feel that sharing activities with people of the same gender is a way to bond and build stronger connections. With all of the heated debate going on in Washington it’s no wonder the president would want to take a break and shoot some hoops.
It is my belief that Obama’s all-male basketball games are nothing but games. It is trivial to even compare this to the real sexism that occurs in American society. Inviting only males to basketball games does not measure up to cutting women out of pay and discriminating against them in the military. The president’s leisure activities are setting off people’s radars for the wrong reasons.
In American culture it is perfectly acceptable for men and women to do things separately. When a couple is preparing for marriage, it is basically a given that the groom will have a bachelor party. A bachelor party is for males to congregate and do “guy stuff” like watching sports and enjoying a stripper or two. The bride-to-be also gets to have a bachelorette party to do “girl stuff” like dressing up and enjoying a stripper or two. There are many gender divisions in society that are not challenged such as sports leagues, Greek organizations and colleges. I do not mean to support the “separate but equal” argument, but I do believe that there are some things that men and women enjoy doing with their own gender.
As far as Obama’s basketball games go, I don’t see a problem with them. I’m sure that all-male basketball games are not the only recreational activities he does with his staff. It would be a problem if the presidential parties, picnics and trips we’re all male. These are activities that would be considered gender neutral and more gender inclusive. If you are a woman and you want to play with the boys, by all means do it. If you are a male and you want to go watch chick-flicks, go ahead. I am just saying that sometimes guys need guy time and girls need girl time.
I am going to release a public service announcement: President Obama is not sexist! It wouldn’t make sense for the first lady, the fabulous Michelle Obama, to not invite her husband to her all-girl shopping day at J.Crew. I’m all for political correctness, but sometimes I think we take it too far.
