Theory Matters - Blog Post #1
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The first unit in our Cultural and Critical Theory course focused on sports and how it relate to cultural and critical theory. During this unit, I found it pertinent to hone in on this concept of “cultural studies” and its vast definitions and usage in research. According to many scholars, in particular Lawrence Grossberg, he asserts, cultural studies demonstrate the structure of everyday life due to culture. He also discusses how we are warranted and unwarranted by “structures and forces that organize everyday lives…and the trajectories of economic, social, cultural, and political power” (Grossberg 8). Due to its interdisciplinary nature, culture studies allow for applications in “theory, pedagogy, activism, criticism, and art…” (Rodman 2). I begin with Grossberg and Rodman’s perspective of cultural studies as I find it necessary to understand cultural studies to apply the power dynamics in sports as it relates to major themes and theories and how they differ in this unit. This blog post will be broken down in sections discussing key theories, how it connects with my perspective, how it can be a contribution to my current and future, and of course to answer the question why theory matters!?
The main takeaway I believe is worth noting under affect and intimacy discussion is how bodies are considered references to affect and rhetorical intimacy among athletes. Fullagar and Pavlidis asserts, “Cultural theories of affect extend post-structural critiques of the rational, self-present subject, while also questioning the limits of language through a desire to explore the relational forces that shape embodiment (in relation to other bodies, surfaces, textures, and feelings)” (Fullagar and Pavlidis, 2017). Affect in cultural studies is a way to engage meaning of power and domination through sports. The case study that was used to aid in understanding affect was Olympic swimmer, Greg Louganis. An example I find relevant to this conversation is the releasing of ostentatious Cam Newton from the New England Patriots. In a recent video that was posted on Newton’s “Funky Friday” YouTube channel, he discussed with this father the “real” reason behind his departure from the Patriots. Newton stated, “The reason why they released me is because, indirectly, I was ‘gonna’ be a distraction without being the starter. Just my aura…that’s my gift and my curse. When you bring a Cam Newton to your franchise, people are interested by the mere fact of
‘Who is he? Why does he wear his hair like that? Why does he talk like that? Why does he act, why does he perform (like that)?’” If I am completely grasping this concept of affect correctly, Newton implicitly reveals that he is aware of his noteworthy body (or as he calls it ‘aura’) and this is a relevant example of power and domination due to the culture surrounding sports.
In the black community, especially among men, showing affection is considered a deduction from their masculinity. However, male athletes and celebrities are more opened (and inclined) to share their friendships among one another publicly with fans. In Lisa Corrigan’s chapter, “Touching Ali”, her analysis on rhetorical intimacy of Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X revealed the importance of connecting religion and sports to engage for intimate black masculinity (Corrigan 87). Ali and X’s friendship was a hot commodity amongst media due to some of the peculiar differences among the two. However, media has not slowed down in highlighting and creating friendships among athletes. Lebron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade are a friend group that is emphasized regularly throughout the media. Pictures of the three of them together always demonstrate some form of intimacy whether they are laughing, talking, playing, or supporting one another. In countless interviews, the three of them has talked highly of each other, importance of having a support group and being proactive in discussing mental illness, helping their communities, and of course “trash talking” (which is a form of intimacy in the black community). These three All-Star NBA players intimate friendship permits positive black masculinity which I hope opens the door for others.
The main takeaway I believe is worth noting under affect and intimacy discussion is how bodies are considered references to affect and rhetorical intimacy among athletes. Fullagar and Pavlidis asserts, “Cultural theories of affect extend post-structural critiques of the rational, self-present subject, while also questioning the limits of language through a desire to explore the relational forces that shape embodiment (in relation to other bodies, surfaces, textures, and feelings)” (Fullagar and Pavlidis, 2017). Affect in cultural studies is a way to engage meaning of power and domination through sports. The case study that was used to aid in understanding affect was Olympic swimmer, Greg Louganis. An example I find relevant to this conversation is the releasing of ostentatious Cam Newton from the New England Patriots. In a recent video that was posted on Newton’s “Funky Friday” YouTube channel, he discussed with this father the “real” reason behind his departure from the Patriots. Newton stated, “The reason why they released me is because, indirectly, I was ‘gonna’ be a distraction without being the starter. Just my aura…that’s my gift and my curse. When you bring a Cam Newton to your franchise, people are interested by the mere fact of
‘Who is he? Why does he wear his hair like that? Why does he talk like that? Why does he act, why does he perform (like that)?’” If I am completely grasping this concept of affect correctly, Newton implicitly reveals that he is aware of his noteworthy body (or as he calls it ‘aura’) and this is a relevant example of power and domination due to the culture surrounding sports.
In the black community, especially among men, showing affection is considered a deduction from their masculinity. However, male athletes and celebrities are more opened (and inclined) to share their friendships among one another publicly with fans. In Lisa Corrigan’s chapter, “Touching Ali”, her analysis on rhetorical intimacy of Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X revealed the importance of connecting religion and sports to engage for intimate black masculinity (Corrigan 87). Ali and X’s friendship was a hot commodity amongst media due to some of the peculiar differences among the two. However, media has not slowed down in highlighting and creating friendships among athletes. Lebron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade are a friend group that is emphasized regularly throughout the media. Pictures of the three of them together always demonstrate some form of intimacy whether they are laughing, talking, playing, or supporting one another. In countless interviews, the three of them has talked highly of each other, importance of having a support group and being proactive in discussing mental illness, helping their communities, and of course “trash talking” (which is a form of intimacy in the black community). These three All-Star NBA players intimate friendship permits positive black masculinity which I hope opens the door for others.
Another topic discussed is the usage of articulation and ideology in cultural studies. Ideology can be seen as practical elements in which we based ideas and beliefs. According to Karl Marx, German philosopher, ideology is used to support the power and privilege of the bourgeoise (ruling class). However, Marx did not dismiss culture but did assert that to revolutionize capitalism, economic disparities must be recognized and addressed. As to how this connect to sports, is through the concept of materialism which is used as structure and agency. The two sport cases that were relevant to this topic were Tyrann Mathieu and the nickname of “Honey Badger” and Richard Sherman’s infamous post game speech. Due to the eager purposes behind media (form of capitalism), athletes have a difficult time in getting ahead of stories and being able to acclaim their positions due to the obsessive nature of them. In a materialistic way, athletes are portrayed as money objects that are obligated to society. Referencing back to the Cam Newton example, when the news broke of him being released from the Patriots, a lot of people assumed it was due to his vaccination status and the media completely ran with the story. I consider his interview with his dad a re-articulation moment of the person he considers himself to be rather than what fans and media “want” him to be. To add to this, Sherman discussed in his Sports Illustrated columns, “Welcome to My League,” what he would as NFL Commissioner (Young 135). His answer addressed the materialistic structure within the NFL which is worth discussing and valuable to acknowledge due to the many athletes who are recognizing and re-articulating their own identities such as Newton, Sherman, and Mathieu.
Furthermore, the terms and theories that were discussed in unit one, resonated with me in countless ways especially as it related to power and dominance. The articulation and ideology theories are relevant to my research since I am interested in race and representation in instructional communication. I am challenged by my professor to see how previous research in this area can connect cultural and critical aspects of teaching in higher education in America. Race and representation have been in the forefront recently due to the continuing conversation of dismissing Critical Race Theory (CRT) from classrooms. I am not sure how we can move ahead in society without acknowledging and addressing major structures and class systems that has continually been in favor of the privilege and dismissing the oppressed. As a continue in this course and my research career as potential critical/culture research scholar, I hope to provide resolutions and strategies to make instructional communication equitable and inclusive with the aid theories such as articulation, ideology, affect, and intimacy.
Furthermore, the terms and theories that were discussed in unit one, resonated with me in countless ways especially as it related to power and dominance. The articulation and ideology theories are relevant to my research since I am interested in race and representation in instructional communication. I am challenged by my professor to see how previous research in this area can connect cultural and critical aspects of teaching in higher education in America. Race and representation have been in the forefront recently due to the continuing conversation of dismissing Critical Race Theory (CRT) from classrooms. I am not sure how we can move ahead in society without acknowledging and addressing major structures and class systems that has continually been in favor of the privilege and dismissing the oppressed. As a continue in this course and my research career as potential critical/culture research scholar, I hope to provide resolutions and strategies to make instructional communication equitable and inclusive with the aid theories such as articulation, ideology, affect, and intimacy.
Works Cited
Corrigan, Lisa. “Touching Ali: Rhetorical Intimacy and Black Masculinity.” Sport, Rhetoric, and Political Struggle, edited by Daniel Grano and Michael Butterworth, Peter Lang Publishing, Inc, 2019, pp 87-101.
Fullagar, Simone, & Pavlidis, Adele (2017). “Feminist Theories of Emotion and Affect in Sport.” In L. Mansfield, J. Cauldwell, B. Wheaton, & B. Watson (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Feminism in Sport, Leisure and Physical Education
Palgrave Macmillan.
Gilbert, Rodman. “Cultural Studies.” Wiley Online Journal, 2017, pp 2, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118901731.iecrm0056. Accessed 8 September 2021.
Grossberg, Lawrence. (2010). “The Heart of Cultural Studies.” Duke University Press.
Hartwell, Darren. “Cam Newton Explains Why He Was Released by Patriots in New Tell-All Video.” New England Cable News, 10 September 2021, https://www.necn.com/news/national-international/cam-newton-explains-why-he-was-released-by-patriots-in-new-tell-all-video/2552121/. Accessed 9 September 2021.
Young, Anna. “Richard Sherman’s Rhetorical Witnessing.” Sport, Rhetoric, and Political Struggle, edited by Daniel Grano and Michael Butterworth, Peter Lang Publishing, Inc, 2019, pp 129-139.
Corrigan, Lisa. “Touching Ali: Rhetorical Intimacy and Black Masculinity.” Sport, Rhetoric, and Political Struggle, edited by Daniel Grano and Michael Butterworth, Peter Lang Publishing, Inc, 2019, pp 87-101.
Fullagar, Simone, & Pavlidis, Adele (2017). “Feminist Theories of Emotion and Affect in Sport.” In L. Mansfield, J. Cauldwell, B. Wheaton, & B. Watson (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Feminism in Sport, Leisure and Physical Education
Palgrave Macmillan.
Gilbert, Rodman. “Cultural Studies.” Wiley Online Journal, 2017, pp 2, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118901731.iecrm0056. Accessed 8 September 2021.
Grossberg, Lawrence. (2010). “The Heart of Cultural Studies.” Duke University Press.
Hartwell, Darren. “Cam Newton Explains Why He Was Released by Patriots in New Tell-All Video.” New England Cable News, 10 September 2021, https://www.necn.com/news/national-international/cam-newton-explains-why-he-was-released-by-patriots-in-new-tell-all-video/2552121/. Accessed 9 September 2021.
Young, Anna. “Richard Sherman’s Rhetorical Witnessing.” Sport, Rhetoric, and Political Struggle, edited by Daniel Grano and Michael Butterworth, Peter Lang Publishing, Inc, 2019, pp 129-139.