Faking It … By Whitney Farmer – Un Pop Culture

July 20, 2011 Whitney Farmer 11 Comments

The first time I watched World Cup Soccer was the first time that the U.S. women were in the finals twelve years ago.  I saw the final seconds while sitting at a poolside bar in San Diego, wearing a neck brace and arm cast with a newly-shaved reverse Mohawk that displayed new Frankenstein stitches in the middle of my head. The night before, I had done a swan dive fully clothed into a three foot pool after doing tequila shots with some guy who worked for the Broncos while A-Rod drank somewhere nearby. My medical records from the ER stated “…extremely amiable intoxicated female…”. And despite my neck swelling inside into my throat making it difficult to swallow and breathe, the records also showed that I had not broken my neck. Thanks again to the God who saves my life when I’m stupid.

I was trying on a new risk-dense type of life like new clothes. As I watched the broadcast wearing new labels that didn’t fit well, I watched Brandi Chastain tear off her clothes in victory as she made the penalty shootout kick that won the game against China. She was a stripped-down honest marvel.

The 2011 U.S. women’s team lost in overtime in the Finals against Japan, but it isn’t difficult to concede victory to a country that has been savaged by disasters this year.  One of Japan’s players had even worked previously at one of the nuclear power plants that was crippled from the earthquake and tsunami. To assume that sports don’t matter because the conflicts are scheduled is a mistake: Souls are shaped by archetypes, even if manufactured.

My NYC sister is visiting and we talked about our feelings following the match. Of course…

She told me about a time when she was performing in Rio for Merce Cunningham and the dance company had a field trip to a Brazilian soccer match. The dancers, their physical therapists, and their trainers were fascinated to see what looked like career-ending injuries being erased with three squirts from a spray bottle, allowing the fierce male competitors to leap refreshed off of stretchers and hurl themselves back into the game while the stadium roared. They all said, “We gotta get some of that spray…”

Faking injuries in soccer – known as ‘simulation’ – has been a raging topic of conversation following a report released by Wake Forest University researchers that compared male to female competitors. By a nearly 2-1 ratio, men take a dive. And when women go down, they are twice as likely to be ‘definitely’ hurt, characterized by visible bleeding or being replaced in the game within five minutes.

The New York Times published an article on 7/12/11 summarizing the research, and volatile observations ran throughout the readership. Some were misogynistic, suggesting that women weren’t sophisticated enough or competitive enough to understand the strategic nuances and benefits of deceit.  Others stated that women will end up where men are because the stakes are getting higher and the emerging pool of talent is causing greater competitive pressure.  Men’s soccer organized in 1930, whereas a world title match for women didn’t exist until 1991. There are some suggestions that women, because of childbearing, have a higher threshold of pain and will play hurt.  While their courage is to be admired, a strength like this can end up being a weakness. Pressing through a minor injury can lead to a competition-ending complication. Remember Daniel-San getting kicked in the knee in “Karate Kid”…?

The worst fights at the club are the ones that involve women. Once they start, it is impossible to stop them.  These are also the fights that everyone who likes fighting wants to see. They are real and ruthless.

Perhaps women in soccer can make unhinged competition their market edge, the reason that sponsors will want to dedicate euros/yen/dollars/drachma to them. Reality is riveting, and taking a dive can hurt more than you expect. I have the medical records to prove it. Isn’t it better to wear clothes that fit, better to be who and what you are?   Tough as it might be, staying in the fight and staying true can lead to victory all the way into your soul. Otherwise, you might cash the paycheck but not recognize yourself in the mirror.

Man UP!…Or rather..WOMAN UP!

Play ball! Or rather…GOOOOAAALLL!

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Comic-Con 2011 tip: The Shakedown Bar SD – 3048 Midway, intersection of Rosecrans and Midway in San Diego – is probably the truest biker/punk rock bar on the planet. They have some shows this week including a fundraiser for Wounded Warriors on Friday night during the Con.  If you decide to go, please tell DeadTed, Cody, and Raybeez ‘Blessings” from Whitney. Also, ask them to please not hurt you. Not sure, but it might help.