Is The WFTDA Sexist?

Sensationalist headline alert! No, I'm not accusing the people who run WFTDA of being sexist, but recently I've been thinking a lot about whether it's time for Roller Derby to throw open it's doors & actively try to engage male players. My personal answer to this question is undoubtedly yes, but I want to explore some of the issues around it.

Now I fully realise that the Women's Flat Track Derby Association is exactly that - a women's association, and as such should be looking out for the rights & promotion of women in the sport. I personally think it's great that modern Roller Derby was started as an all female sport. There's no way that we would have this amazing opportunity without that history, Roller Derby is known as a women's sport with some male involvement rather the other way around, & I really appreciate the head start we've been given. On the other hand though, it makes me sick a bit when I hear people refer to Roller Derby (*not* the WFTDA) as "all female". The men who play with MRD are an equal & crucial part of our team & I hate hate HATE to have them excluded or belittled as a matter of course.

Being a rather staunch feminist myself, I know how it feels to be constantly assumed to be the sideshow, helper, 2nd in command. To illustrate this: the other day me & Ad were in the phone shop looking for a new contract for him. The salesman came up to him & asked him what he was looking for & Adam explained. Then the man said "And is it for you or the lady". Excuse me?!?!! I was so angry I nearly walked out! This is exactly the kind of thing I have to deal with all the time. And it may sound small & petty, but to have people assume over & over again that someone else makes your decisions & lifts your heavy things & thinks & acts for you it just maddening.

And that is the reason why not only am I glad that we women have Roller Derby, but also, now that we have it, we should be generous with it and NOT let Merby become the sideshow.

Just as people need their consciousness raised with how they deal with women, I think much of the sexism inherent in Derby is accidental & unconscious. So I am here to tell you that the following behaviour is unacceptable. And I will be pointing it out at every opportunity.

51% female vote
This is a requirement of the WFTDA. Fine for women's teams - NOT fine for co-ed leagues. Have separate committees & a joint one if you need to.

Assuming men are refs
Not cool. A lot of men in Derby ref because there is no other place for them. Some of the MRD blokes left teams that didn't give them the option to play. Just because someone is pushed in to a role doesn't mean they want to be there. Most of the MRD men are players & have never reffed in their lives.

Saying men shouldn't be allowed to play
This is the most blatant sexism around & it's shocking how often you hear people express this opinion. On episode 1 of the 4th whistle podcast someone mentioned it & I was so incensed I had to email them & put them straight. Excluding someone because of their gender? Come on ladies, we've been through this before.

Transgendered players
I think it's about time people got off their high horse about this. At the level most Derby teams are at they have a wide range of players of all abilities - this is not the Olympics (however much we might wish it was!) The differences in size/muscle mass are not consistent enough to exclude ANYONE because of gender. The beauty of Roller Derby is that it is so inclusive - for people dealing with gender issues there aren't many sports that they can participate in. Please, please, lets not be like football.

Using the female pronoun
When we all use the same rules - is it really necessary to use 'she' & 'her' all the time? The MRDA have got it right - gender neutral rules is the way to go. This also goes some way toward being more inclusive for transgendered people.

Saying that Merby is not tactical
Ok, it's a more violent game - I think we can agree on that. But portraying men's Derby as a mindless bloodbath is stooping to an outdated, unhelpful & frankly insulting stereotype of masculinity. There's more to our boys than muscle - they do have brains you know!