Professional Sports are part of the Problem

         One of the most common male-bonding rituals is the viewing and discussion of professional sports. Sports are a part of many young boys’ lives from an early age. As they grow older, they are expected to participate in team sports as a rite of passage. Not surprisingly, many of these boys grow to idolize their professional counterparts. The National Basketball Association, the fasting growing American sports league in terms of popularity, plays a major impact on what’s ‘cool’ for young men. There are countless recognizable players whose skill on the basketball court has led them to become popular culture icons. Unfortunately, homophobia and misogyny are still prevalent themes in the league as its influence continues to grow. In the past few years alone, marquee players including Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Joakim Noah have all been caught on camera using slurs that were either homophobic or misogynistic in nature. It is unsurprising that in a culture that is founded on the putting-down of others continues to perpetuate at the highest level. But, the problem here is that these players are seen as role models. When the ‘cool’ guys are doing it, the youth can be expected to follow.