Story of a lost journalist

May 15, 2011

Discrimination, a norm

Filed under: My Musing Moments — Cris @ 18:21

I am not a cricket player. All I have for credit are the little cricket games I played with my brother as a kid. So when my colleagues planned to form a cricket team for a journos’ cricket tournament, I didn’t think much of it. But… I didn’t think they would not even consider women in their team. They didn’t know if any of us were interested, had experience or were good players. They assumed it is going to be a men’s only event. Now that, more than irk me, shocked me. Yes, that’s how it is in international cricket. But I thought local matches were more casual, more employee-friendly. The year is 2011 and we still think fights and sports are for men and cooking and sewing are for women?

When I asked if I could be in the team – just out of curiosity in fact – I was generously offered a cheerleader’s place. They meant it for fun. But repeatedly when the comment came from every man in the office, I was again, puzzled. This was not anymore a joke. They seriously could not even imagine a woman as a player. It is because the cricket ball is too hard for a fragile little woman’s soft skin, I gathered.

If I say more, I will only be branded a desperate feminist. I say ‘only’ because that would only trivialize the depth of my words and concerns. I am not asking for justice. I am not thinking of a different picture where all is fair. I am not in the least asking to be in the team! I am just realizing discrimination is just another norm, `an accepted reality of the world. It would always exist in subtle forms unquestioned. Wouldn’t it?

6 Comments »

  1. I don’t know why this happens to you all the time. I previously worked in an MNC where girls used to be in a cricket team, which was conducted as a part of sports week events.

    In our domain there is a general saying “Talk is cheap, show me the code”. Show them what you are capable of and make that “accepted reality” hypothetical.

    Comment by Sreeraj R — May 16, 2011 @ 18:08 | Reply

  2. 😦 Here we call gals too to the game if it’s casual. But for serious games, the best players get in and it WILL be guys always. Think it like this – not all guys get into the teams, only the best get in. If there is a gal who can compete with the best, they should be in. But the probability is very very low sis! 😦 Atleast in this part of the world.

    I’ll put all blames on your gender! For not growing up playing cricket or any sports!

    Comment by Srijith — May 16, 2011 @ 23:16 | Reply

  3. oh! I failed to get the context right when I read your status message on FB.
    That was mean of them.. but please don’t take it to your heart, girl..

    This incident reminds me of the time we had a Rangoli competition as a part of Diwali celebrations at work. And there was this team of two guys. I remember how most of the girls and guys were collectively snickering at them.. and the poor things were really the artistically inclined types who wanted to give in a honest try.
    It’s got to do with stereotypes and they will change.
    It will take time, yes. It will take a lot more effort, yes.
    But change, it will.
    For your own peace, please don’t take it too personally. Okay? Okay. 🙂

    Comment by usha — May 19, 2011 @ 18:06 | Reply

  4. Shows how certain tendencies/biases are heavily entrenched within the society – even spontaneous comments from many smack of chauvinism, communalism and racism – am not saying I am immune to this tendency. But, our schools should have some kind of “cleansing” procedure embedded within their syllabus, that seeks to purify our younger generation of the biases inherent in contemporary kerala society.

    Comment by Deepak — May 19, 2011 @ 20:05 | Reply

  5. DC requires minimum capacity to lift a bat for including one in their local cricket team..ha ha ..dont worry kuttttteeeeee..nxt time namukku shariyakkam

    Comment by nijish nair — May 22, 2011 @ 12:05 | Reply

  6. Cris.. It is not about Men and Women, it is about how they dealt with your wish to play.. They might have dealt it in a fair way, without making you feel that you are opted out for being a girl ..

    If Tidy City was organising a cricket Match and if Cris is available, Then I am sure you will be the captain of the squad .. 🙂

    Comment by Javed Miandad — December 24, 2011 @ 01:46 | Reply


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