Kiana Cox, Ph.D

My Favorite Feminist

4/5/2018

Maria Miller Stewart

At SIUE, I am an Assistant Professor of Sociology, but I am also affiliated with our wonderful (and FUN) Women's Studies program. Recently, the program started a blog series on faculty's "Favorite Feminist Heroes". The blog post below is my entry from that series. To follow the blog, visit: https://siuewmst.wordpress.com/wmst-blog/

My favorite feminist is Maria Miller Stewart. Often, feminism is viewed within various aspects of black nationalist ideology as a white invention; as something that is foreign and inconsistent with black freedom movements. Likewise, popular stories of women’s political history in the U.S. often start with the “first wave” at the end of the 19th century. However, Maria Miller Stewart was a free black woman living in Boston in the 1830s and the first American woman to give a public lecture on social justice issues to mixed race and mixed gender audiences.

This is important, given that elite black women of her day were consigned to literary or temperance societies if they wanted to do political work. Stewart is important because she becomes a forerunner of the black feminist tradition that we usually locate in the 1960s and 70s. In 1831, she published “Pure Principles of Morality” in the ladies section of William Lloyd Garrison’s abolitionist newspaper “The Liberator”. (Note that Stewart knew and worked with Garrison in the abolitionist movement a full decade before Frederick Douglass met him). In “Pure Principles”, Miller speaks directly to black women of her day, imploring them about the need for them to be leaders. She stated,

Possess the spirit of independence. The Americans do, and why should not you? Possess the spirit of men, bold and enterprising, fearless and undaunted…

She continues a year later in her “Lecture at Franklin Hall”,

Who shall go forward, and take off the reproach that is cast upon the people of color? Shall it be a woman? If it is thy will, be it even so, Lord Jesus!”

Stewart was so bold and searing in her critiques of black male leaders (many of whom she viewed as lazy) that her growing unpopularity forced her to leave Boston in 1833. During her farewell speech at the African Masonic Temple, the mostly male crowd jeered and threw rotten tomatoes at her. What could she have said to anger them so much?

Had those men amongst us, who have had an opportunity, turned their attention as assiduously to mental and moral improvement as they have to gambling and dancing, I might have remained quietly at home, and they stood contending in my place.

Stewart basically claps back at these leaders, arguing that if you all were about your business you could be on the lecture circuit advocating for the race and I could have been at home! As the popular saying goes, she had time that day! She pulled no punches, she critiqued ineffective male leadership, and fiercely advocated for black women to recognize their ability to lead. And she did it while many of the men whom we hail as great abolitionists were still toiling on plantations. She did it a full 130 years before the dates in history where we typically introduce the topic of black feminism into our reading lists and courses on black politics. She is an unsung feminist hero.

Want to read more about Dr. Cox’s favorite feminist, Maria Miller Stewart? Check out this page about Miller at the Connecticut Hall of Fame!

We Need More Than Pink Cleats

9/20/2014

Originally published on The Feminist Wire.

Every October the NFL, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, adorns itself in pink to raise awareness about and funds for breast cancer. Via their NFL Pink website, the league encourages women to make a “crucial catch” and to know that “annual screening saves lives.” Amidst these messages are videos and stories of women who are currently enmeshed in the fight against the disease. The implicit message here is that the NFL recognizes its female fan-base and appears to be dedicated to a cause that might impact a significant number of their lives. Despite recent criticism that the NFL profits from their Pink campaign, the visual spectacle resulting from the NFL’s use of pink cleats, towels, and goal posts is impressive.

And yet these efforts do nothing to assuage my increasing disgust with the league and the androcentricity that governs U.S. professional sports in general. Several recent issues involving current and former NFL players have left me watching sports television less and less. And this is quite a feat, because I have loved sports my whole life. From watching every game played by Jordan’s Bulls from 1991-1998, to the White Sox’s World Series win in 2005, the Blackhawks current reign as NHL champions, and the newly revamped Bears offense -- I know my sports, I love my sports, and I love my Chicago teams. But the thing that is driving my growing contempt is their refusal to deal with issues of violence, masculinity-as-violence, misogyny, hyper-sexualization of women, rape culture, and countless others issues, which are part of a culture that consistently puts women in danger. Their steadfast support or patent silence on situations where current and former players have molested, abused, raped, and even killed women is alarming.

In February of this year, Baltimore Ravens star running back Ray Rice was caught on video dragging the limp body of his girlfriend Janay Palmer from an elevator. The image alone is deeply disturbing, including the way that this 200+ lb man who runs through 300 lb defensive lineman weekly seemingly refuses to pick Palmer up to exit the elevator. Instead he drags her like a sack. Even more disturbing are the accusations that Rice punched Palmer out cold immediately prior to the images captured on tape. In late March, Rice was indicted on third degree aggravated assault charges. Reports about Rice were met with denial, dismissal, and disregard for the broader issues. Whether imagining Rice as an isolated case, dismissing its representative importance, or denying the cultural and institutional context, the NFL and its corporate partners do little to take responsibility.

With regard to sexual violence, in college football, these trends are no less troubling. Time and time again in late 2013, the sexual assault allegations against Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston were only covered to the extent that the case would hamper his chances to win the Heisman. Interestingly, a press conference was called less than a week prior to Heisman voting to announce that Winston would not be charged. The level of banter surrounding the press conference was inappropriate and sickening.

Issues of sexual violence have also caused me to give the NFL the "side eye.” Recent NFL network analyst and former Super Bowl champion Darren Sharper has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault in several states across the country. I have yet to see this story reported, much less analyzed, on any of the major sports networks. In fact, many on-air sports personalities have stated that they would not have discussed the Ray Rice allegations had it not affected his on-the-field prospects. Although they are very careful to say that the allegations are the more serious topic, the hypocrisy and complicity here are disconcerting. Are we really to believe that Sharper’s spree as a serial rapist who drugs and assaults women began after he retired from the NFL, as news outlets suggest? It would not be outrageous to consider an NFL cover-up. Take for example the lack of response or discipline for former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito. In 2012, he was accused of sexually molesting a female team volunteer with a golf club at a Dolphins fundraiser in full view of team officials. According to the police report, Miami Dolphins personnel told the women that the situation would be “taken care of.” It never was. Incognito was never charged or disciplined. However, in 2013 Incognito was publicly decried for his racist harassment of black teammate Jonathan Martin (calling him a “nigga”) and a Japanese team trainer. In fact, the racial harassment investigation is the only way the sexual molestation allegation saw the light of day.

In a recent discussion of the use of the word “nigga” among pro football players, ESPN on-air personalities Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic invited NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter to appear on their “Mike & Mike” morning show. Greenberg described Carter’s stance on the subject as impassioned and positive, and referenced a story that Carter told about the use of “nigga” among the high school players that he coaches. Carter described a moment when he overheard two of his players using the word while lifting weights. Carter instantly steps in and demands that they stop using it, noting his preference for their using “MFer” or a “SOB” instead. Seemingly erasing their misogynistic orientation, the preference for using “motherfucker” and a “son of bitch” is telling. It reveals how yet again, conversations about justice and equality remain at surface level, and about individual transformation. It reveals the adherence to symbolic change, to the spectacle of progress, in absence of any real efforts to transform the roots and cultural production of injustice.

How does the NFL through its Pink campaign claim to care about the lives of women, but does not see fit to address the danger that its own players pose to women? How are several highly popular sports shows, who congratulate themselves for being cutting edge (I’m talking about you Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith), fearless in addressing issues of race (most recently the NFL’s proposed ban on the use of “nigga” on field), but are silent on intimate partner violence and sexual assault? Does the NFL only care about the lives of women when they are threatened by invisible killers like cancer? Do sports analysts only care to delve into intimate partner and sexual violence among athletes when it impacts their performance on the field or court? To me, the answers are yes and yes.

If the NFL really wants to reach out to its female fan-base, they should demonstrate the importance of saving women’s lives by disciplining their own players when they assault women; rather than pledging undying support for them as the Baltimore Ravens have for Ray Rice. We need more than pink cleats.

Sports Op: Nobody Wants to Play the Bulls

3/2/2014

The game was over from the start. Before you could blink or roll your eyes at one of those corny Jeff Van Gundy jokes, the Bulls were out to a 23 to 4 lead on the lowly New York Knicks in the nationally televised ABC/ESPN matinee game. For a team that ended last season second in the east with 54 wins and doused their crowd in confetti for winning a first round playoff series, the Knicks must have seen everything they are NOT in this game. Both teams have dealt with trades and injuries that have significantly altered their lineup. None more than the Bulls, who after losing MVP point guard Derrick Rose for a second straight season and trading away journeyman small forward Luol Deng to the Cavs, are somehow still sitting third in the east. As Coach Thibs would say, "get in the circle" or more aptly, "don't let go of the rope".

Those of us die hard Chicago fans who watch the Bulls faithfully are not shocked at the intensity and effort that have caused the Bulls to succeed in what many thought would be a tank-worthy season. However, those on the national stage are just now being enlightened about one element in the formula that makes the Bulls go: allowing your center to operate your offense. Which brings me to my primary purpose for this blog. There is no team in the east that can beat the Bulls, save the Miami Heat. Even then, there will be bumps and bruises, knock-down, drag-out style. With Dwyane Wade's ailing health and a less talented supporting cast, the Miami Heat have been less than invincible this year. Much less.

Well, what about the Pacers you say? Can't they beat the Bulls? Hmm...not so fast. Indiana poses a formidable threat to Miami because of their size. However, what are Achilles heels for Miami are strengths for the Bulls. Not only can the Bulls match Indiana's size (Hibbert and West) with Noah, Gibson, and Boozer, the Bulls big men are much more athletic and offensively skilled than Indiana's. With the offense running through Noah at the top of the circle and both Boozer and Gibson able to knock down jumpers from the wing, Indiana's big men have to play much further away from the basket than they are comfortable, leaving them in bad rebounding position and slowing down the high-flying Paul George and Lance Stephenson. Ah, Paul George, what about him? He can stop the Bulls right? Well, don't be so sure. Again, go back to the athletic ability of Noah and Gibson and their defensive strength. Both have long arms and quick feet and can switch off on Paul George no matter where he is on the court. Jimmy Butler is no scrub as a on-ball defender, but if you can throw size and strength at George you can slow him. So having pulled their rebounders away from the basket defensively and slowed down their All-Star offensively, Indiana's strengths have been weakened. The Bulls are dead last in the NBA in offense, no doubt, but are you willing to put money on Indy beating Chicago in a 7 game series, given the talented big men that the Bulls have? I'm not.

N-Words, Black People, and Red Herrings

2/23/2014

Tonight ESPN aired a special edition of its weekday show "Outside the Lines" to examine the use of a word that has gotten a significant amount of sports media attention in recent months: "nigga". With an opening montage narrated by rapper Common followed by comments from sports journalists and athletes, the show recounted various historical and contemporary debates surrounding the use of the word. I'll give my own opinion about its usage in another blog, but what strikes me about this show and the conversation about the word at large is the lack of structural and/or institutional analysis. What does ring familiar is the decades old argument which posits that African Americans have a violent, uneducated, and degenerate culture.

This debate is not about a word at all. "Nigga" and its usage are a discursive red herring. What it really offers us (and if we are honest about the United States, what it really offers whites) is a narrative seeking to explain contemporary African American inequality, particularly among the urban poor. It is a narrative which incorrectly and simplistically lays the blame of that inequality at our own doorstep. When journalist Jason Whitlock states, "The n-word is a symbol of a culture...a culture that is anti-education...a hostile culture, a violent culture", his words are not unlike those of mid-20th century social scientists who proffered culture of poverty theories to explain African American inequality. To declare that contemporary use of this word emanates from a dsyfunctional African American culture and to then link that culture to gang violence in urban communities without proper attention to the historical, political, economic, and social issues that make African American inequality possible places Whitlock's comments in the same camp as those largely debunked social scientists. Culture does not explain gang violence, poverty, and lack of education. The use of the n-word does not predict these outcomes either, despite the fact that this is the undertone of the debate.

To state that contemporary African American culture gives rise to the n-word and the conditions that plague African American communities is to ignore the social forces that created both the n-word and persistent African American inequality: the maintenance of white privilege. Absent from this debate is a lengthy discussion of the historical systems of racial privilege that prompted whites to terrorize blacks. It is THAT context which gave birth to the word "nigger". This same white privilege supported school segregation; and when that fell, white flight from urban centers and the rolling back of civil rights and affirmative action legislation. This same white privilege is etched on our financial, educational, and legal systems in the forms of laws and policies that make intergenerational mobility nearly impossible and where African Americans are more likely to be stopped, arrested, incarcerated, and excessively sentenced than whites. These are the conditions that create an environment where violence is likely to occur. Various segments of one group enjoy the hoarding of opportunity while segments of another endure the dearth of it. African Americans are not the creators of the anti-black culture which Whitlock wags his finger at. We are the victims of it. It is the maintenance of this same white privilege which continues to require that our discussions of race focus on the "otherness" of people of color and what we "are doing to ourselves" rather than the social constructed normativity of whiteness and the systemic advantages that whiteness carries.

Sociologically, what else is happening here? When this type of debate leaves the barber shops and the indigenous black spaces where they are usually found and ends up on ESPN on Sunday night, there is a purpose being served. In her book "From Mammy to Miss America and Beyond: Cultural Images and the Shaping of U.S. Social Policy", K. Sue Jewell argues that one of the functions of media as a social institution is to show us those who are worthy beneficiaries of societal resources. Media images and narratives teach us what to affirm and disapprove of. "Bailing out the banks helps us all" vs. "welfare queens are gaming the system". When there is a nationally aired conversation on African Americans who use the word "nigger" or "nigga" that is linked to violence, lack of education, and tinged with a culture of poverty undertone, we can be sure that the real discussion is not about the n-word at all. Indeed if we can be accused of creating and executing our own demise without proper attention to the social forces that made our demise possible, then our resistance to inequality in whatever form it takes will be invalidated and the status quo maintained.

My Favorite Feminist

We Need More Than Pink Cleats

Sports Op: Nobody Wants to Play the Bulls

N-Words, Black People, and Red Herrings

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