“My hamstring is ok but derogatory and sexist comments aren’t.” – Tayla Harris.
I’ve done this post a week later, because in the matter of a couple of days, a photograph has caused controversy and widespread conversation. Michael Wilson, an accredited sports photographer captured an amazing shot of Carlton’s key forward Tayla Harris in full flight, kicking. A snapshot of her incredible technique, also capturing her flexibility to achieve such heights with her followthrough.
It wasn’t the incredible flexibility and beauty in the kicking style that has caused controversy…. It started with Channel 7’s instagram page, “@7AFL’, posted the photo, and moments later it started to receive many comments. A lot of great, empowered and inspired comments, but when does positivity ever start drama. The negative comments, consisted of generic haters of women’s footy but were also very sexist and derogatory. All because you can see between her legs. Instantly she became a sexualised figure.
Trolls are something that comes along with the internet, especially with social media. There are people that sit behind a key board and write horrific comments to make themselves feel better. These comments are usually hateful, sexual, disgusting, and are directed to women far too often. Unfortunately, what occurred next allowed the trolls to win… 7AFL deleted the post.
It agitated me purely because if a male footballer was in this photo, it would be admired, the technique and ability would be the focus point in conversation. Take this photo for example, Tony Modra kicking the first goal in the 1997 qualifying final between Adelaide Crows and West Coast Eagles. Despite the fact he is a little more inflexible compared to Harris, the image is fairly similar. However with her male counterparts also in the same iconic AFL stance, they did not receive the same horrible comments.
However, what has given me inspiration and hope is that the response to the controversy, response to the deletion of the photo and the response to the haters and trolls has been grand and unifying. My Instagram feed filled with reposts of the photo and tremendous support for Harris and the photo. Harris posted the photo and captioned it “My hamstring is ok but derogatory and sexist comments aren’t.” Harris’ ability to take control of the situation, has had profound interaction in social change. That female athletes are ATHLETES. There is no place for sexual comments and sexist jokes in sport. period.
This photo is iconic, because it has become more then just a photo. It has started conversations, it has brought awareness and it has resulted in action. Women can play sport, and are pretty bloody good at it. Let’s kick back at the trolls and fight for whats right and that is…
Equality.
Most importantly…
Respect.
KEEP IT TOOGOOD 