Tuesday, February 8, 2011

But what are you DOING about it?

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi

A battle has been brewing for some time over the term "Puck Bunny"; what's a puckbunny? Who uses the term? is it insulting? Are YOU a puckbunny? There's no simple answer for any of these questions, so I'm going to attack the issue from another angle. I get it. You don't like the term "puckbunny," whether it's being used to belittle you or someone else. My question to you, then, is this:

What are you DOING about it?

Here's the thing: "puckbunny" isn't going anywhere. Hockey always has been, and likely will be, an Old Boys' Club. As long as this is the case, there will be men who insinuate that your fandom as a woman is less about the thrill of the game and the skill of it's athletes, and more that you'd like to hop in the sack with a member of the team.  Female fans will continue to use the term, because it has become so necessary to differentiate ourselves.

Ask any woman who has sat alone at a game (nevermind that she may have friends elsewhere in the arena), and they'll all tell you that they've been harassed in some way, and been put in a position that requires them to defend their own knowledge of the game. Is it fair? Of course not.

Why then, would you invite such criticism  by dressing like you're looking for attention?

This is where you say "but, Hockey Broad... Why is it that I'm not allowed to look nice at games without being labeled a slut?" Go ahead. I'll wait.

I'm not saying that you're not allowed to look nice. You won't catch me at a game without my hair done and some makeup on my face. Then again, you probably wouldn't catch me shopping at Target without it, either. I am at my most comfortable when I feel that I look presentable, and I think the same holds true for all of us. On the other hand, first impressions are everything. The judgment a person passes on you within those first few seconds of meeting is a hard thing to overcome. This is why we look our best for job interviews, first dates, etc.  So when you show up at the rink (where it's generally COLD, mind you) dressed like you're heading out clubbing afterward, know that people are going to pass judgment on you. Again, it's not fair, but it's human nature.

What's the point I'm trying to make? Baseless complaining and whining never changed anything. Shut the fuck up and DO something about it. You can dress like you're in a hip hop video, and bitch because people think you don't take the game seriously, but nothing is going to change. You want to wear a skirt so short you can't comfortably sit down? Get on with your bad self, but if you want to be taken seriously, you'd better make damn sure you're doing the most you possibly can to prove that women belong in this game while you're rockin' those stilettos, girlfriend.

Get involved with womens hockey. There are an absolute SHIT TON of womens and girls teams out there that don't get the attention they deserve. Or the funds. Buy a ticket to your local college womens team's game; they'll appreciate the support (and the money).

Be an advocate. There are countless leagues for children and adults with special needs out there, and they're always looking for assistance. Most teams have initiatives with their local urban school districts to bring hockey (even if only floor hockey) to kids who wouldn't otherwise get that introduction. Support the game from top to bottom; there's a lot of folks out there playing hockey for the love of the game, and not for a paycheck, and they'd love to meet you.

Educate yourself. Know the rules. Know the team. Know. Your. Shit. It's inevitable that even if you're dressed like a schoolmarm, some asshole in the row behind you will want to know where your boyfriend is, or why you're there, or which of the players you're trying to bone. Put him in his place. There's nothing more powerful than a smart woman, and if you find a drunk that has a decent comeback when you start rattling off stats and talking about offsides and how absolutely ridiculous the trapezoid rule is, I'd like to meet him, shake his hand, and then kick him in the balls.

In short, put yourself out there. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent, so by all means, dress however YOU feel comfortable--just be prepared to put your money where your mouth is.

And for the love of god, stop being so fucking sensitive.