Just a few weeks ago, headlines went viral about the undeniable success of \u201cDennis Rodman\u2019s daughter,\u201d and her athletic prowess. At 18 years of age, Trinity Rodman, a name all her own, became the youngest player to be drafted in the National Women\u2019s Soccer Leagues (NWSL).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On merit alone, her accomplishment is worthy of attention, especially in a league rich in outstanding athletic talent. However, as Trinity is the daughter of NBA champion Dennis Rodman, her lineage has the potential to overshadow her personal accomplishments. In fact, when asked to remark on her own feelings about being recognized as \u201cDennis Rodman\u2019s daughter,\u201d Trinity stated that<\/a> her father was \u201can amazing athlete, and I got those genes from him, but I\u2019m excited to be known as Trinity Rodman and not just (Dennis) Rodman\u2019s daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some might argue that the price of having a famous parent is that your accomplishments are not solely your own. Rather they are a reflection of their talents. Others may argue that the children of famous parents who follow in their footsteps should be grateful for the clout that comes from their name as it can boost their reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the surface, such comments seem innocuous, and even reasonable. After all, who doesn\u2019t enjoy an added benefit?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, the ways that certain types of language are deployed to describe women athletes are often steeped in subtle sexism and\/or misogyny. Sexism, of course, refers to the prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. Misogyny refers to the dislike\/contempt\/ingrained prejudice against women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some might say that I am making a \u201cmountain out of a mole hill\u201d in regards to the media referring to Trinity Rodman firstly as \u201cDennis Rodman\u2019s daughter,\u201d and an outstanding athlete second. But hear me out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Modern sports in the U.S. were originally created for white, heterosexual men. Over time, sports slowly evolved and allowed others, often reluctantly, to participate. This participation, we must remember, was often facilitated by struggle. African Americans combated racism for acceptance in sports. Women battled sexism, and of course Black, Brown and other POC fought both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sports has long mirrored society and the culture it exists in. The ills that plague American culture (i.e., racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, etc.) also run rampant within sports. When it comes to sexism in particular, this is often reinforced by the various ways in which women athletes tend to be referred to by their proximity to the men in their lives rather than their given names. The multiple news sources that discussed the tremendous accomplishments of Trinity Rodman\u2014who plays a completely different sport than her father\u2014is but one example among many.<\/p>