Keep Laughing

 I sat and watched the men’s hockey gold medal game, I cheered for a group of men i’ve never met. The only common tie that i’m aware of — our nationality. A deep seated pride in being American. Embracing our beautiful county, flaws and all. 

I sat and watched the celebration of the men’s hockey gold medal game. I cheered for a group of men i’ve never met. The only common tie that I’m aware of — our raw humanity. Honoring a brother tragically lost and including his kids in pictures and hugs.

I sat and watched the video of the locker room celebration after the men’s hockey gold medal game. I was (once again) upset by a group of men I’ve never met. Their laughter said more than words ever could. 

Was this not the same group that just brought Jonny Gaudreau’s daughter onto the ice? 

Ah… silly me, there it is again. The American paradox.

We champion our boys — “he’s bound to be great, he’s so <insert sport related adjective>”

We deprecate our girls — “you <insert sport related verb> like a girl” 

We cheer for fights that break out in games — that’s passion for the game. 

We look down upon the girl who gets emotional — there’s no place for that in sports.

We celebrate a bloody nose and broken teeth — that’s a champion’s grin. 

We shy from speaking about the blood women shed monthly while training at the highest levels — that’s a girl’s world.

Every girl knows what that laughter means. Those laughs say more than words ever could. There’s a smugness implied. An air of cockiness. But if you listen closely to the silence that follows that laughter, you’ll hear it — insecurity.

Insecurity because despite the laughter,  women succeed. 

Insecurity because despite the laughter, women accomplish. 

Insecurity because despite the laughter, women W I N. 

The american paradox is a funny little thing; but you better believe the last laugh will always belong to the girls. 

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