In the wake of International Women’s Day, I thought it only seemed fitting that I do a post related to women. I realise the last few posts about merchandise were aimed at females but don’t worry I will back off that subject for a bit and get down to football! Since starting this blog, I have been overwhelmed by the number of views and lovely comments.
A college friend’s comment.
However hand in hand with that are the bad comments.
Now when it comes to opinions, everyone is entitled to them.
We’re all human, we all deserve the same respect and are entitled to the same human rights as everyone else, such as freedom of expression and freedom of speech.
I know this is getting pretty heavy but at the end of the day, these are the fundamental ingredients that should make our society.
It doesn’t matter who we are, where we come from, what colour skin we have or what gender we are, we are ALL entitled to voice our opinions.
Unfortunately for me, there are a small minority of people out there who seem to think females who enjoy men’s football should not be allowed to do so or that their opinions are less valuable than men’s.
Which I think in this day and age is pretty sad. Ok so that all sounds pretty cliché I know, but hey it’s true!
I’ve faced a fair amount of adversity in my life, as I know many have, from being the bullied, overweight, glasses wearing, ‘brace face’, swotty teenager, (I know painting a really nice picture of myself!) to facing sexism in a football environment.
However these experiences haven’t yet developed me a ‘thick skin’ that some people often get!
So I was apprehensive when the brilliant Facebook ‘Everton page’ asked me to share a few status’ and become an admin of theirs.
Eager for a new challenge and seeing as my blog was doing ok, I threw caution to the wind and accepted. I posted a few thoughts, things about Gareth Barry being considered for the England squad and his recent excellent pass rate as well as a few general thoughts from the West Ham game. They were all met with generic feedback nothing really awful.
Then I posted my opinion which REALLY upset people, my ‘disappointment’ with Aiden McGeady’s performance in the closing minutes of the match against West Ham.
So ok, let’s rationalise, I don’t believe I said anything unjustified or anything which was that damning towards Aiden McGeady and yet some of the responses I received where utterly shocking and upsetting.
I have blurred out the names of these people because I’m not out to name and shame them, I simply want to illustrate the comments I received.
Another one stated, ‘get back to my ironing’ and so on. I don’t even know how to iron?!
You get the drift…….not sure what X Factor has do with things though…….
I understand not everyone will agree with my opinion, why should they?
With over 12,000 likes on the page, I will struggle to please everyone but to send abuse about my gender?
Hmm, don’t think it was really a measured response. Not really sure my gender has much to do with it.
Some people will chalk it up to just being ‘banter’ but I would have to disagree! Banter is low level, chat and joking between friends whereas this is trolling.
I found this quotes in a magazine on a story about International Women’s Day that have really inspired me. I know this blog is predominantly for football and as I say I will get back to that!
From Glamour Magazine
I know that facing some adversity in football is nothing compared to what people go through in other countries, with women fighting for their right to work and to gain an education but nevertheless, there are so many outdated views within football, that it is still necessary to address it, and still shouldn’t be happening.
The times, they are a’changing.
Until next time Blues…
The Toffee Lady 