Feminism

Kacy Stuart, like Jaime Nared, is, so it seems anyway, too good for her own good. Kacy, who is 14 and just starting her first year of high school, can kick 50-yard field goals (something many National Football League kickers struggle with). Despite having this hard-to-come-by skill, Kacy was dismissed from her school's football team because she is a girl (video story). Fortunately, Kacy's mother is fighting back; but she needs help. Please use the information posted at Because I Played Sports to contact the school and let them know that it is inexcusable to deny talented female athletes their dream, that is, to prevent them from doing what nature—or Providence if you will—gave them the drive and the ability to do.

Much has been written about Kacy's plight, but I think it is Kacy who sums up her situation (and that of many other female athletes) best: "People were built for different things. I'm built to be a kicker. I just don't understand why people don't accept the fact that I like football and I want to play football" (quoted by 11Alive).

I've talked many times, here and elsewhere, about how the formidable physical potential of women is beginning to manifest itself. Indeed, it's now obvious that women can do far more in the physical arena than previously conceded, and what is most frightening to reactionaries, women may soon be routinely competing with, even outperforming, men. Thus it is no surprise that some, disturbed by this emerging, ominous challenge to traditional gender ideals, are laboring to keep it in check—by edict if necessary. (Special thanks to Megan for bringing Jaime's story to my attention.)