Erin Kelly on smashing stereotypes and using their shattered pieces to your advantage.
I wasn’t your typical “girly-girl” when I was a kid. I always seemed to have a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle doll in one hand and a Power Ranger in the other, so I didn’t mind growing up in the era of action figures.
The tomboy in me would come out even more when I became a fan of WWE in the late 90’s. I didn’t think there was anything weird or wrong about watching a bunch of muscle-bound men throw each other around in a wrestling ring. I knew it was a male-dominated sport, but the women blew me away, especially Trish Stratus.
They were incredible to watch. On the surface, they looked like mild-mannered women who had a certain finesse to them. When they stepped foot in the ring, however, it was like somebody flipped a switch.
They were human firecrackers—exploding into a display of athleticism and executing moves that you wouldn’t expect or imagine women of their size and stature could pull off. Not only that, but their moves were just as precise and effective as the men’s.
The most intriguing thing about this—at least for me—was the fact that they weren’t just leaving their own legacies in the ring. They were making a bold statement about gender that still holds true today.
I think professional wrestling is one of the many forums that have changed the landscape of occupations and ultimately, has redefined men and women’s roles in society.
It’s almost ironic to say that a sport so physical—so male-oriented—could break through that wall in such a big way. That opening has made a way for other organizations such as Shimmer Women to thrive.
Couple that with the ever-evolving world of male ballet, nursing, and even cooking —you’ve not only got a monumental shift—you’ve also got an entirely new meaning for the expression, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” By the same token, I think it’s important to recognize the issue of gender is still very much alive—and that should be all the more reason to want to crush the stereotypes associated with it.
These are two huge blanket statements that connect with me on many personal levels. They’re stark reminders that I’m not just a writer with Cerebral Palsy. I’m also an adoptee and a Korean American.
All those things come with their own merit and individual struggles. Collectively, however, they’re the equivalent of the credentials I would put on a resume—highlighting the fact I’m a 27-year old Korean that comes with a set of wheels.
At first glance, no one would believe the words on this page were my own, unless they were standing beside me and looking over my shoulder. That, itself, is two-fold.
First, it tells me that in order to leave a serious mark on the world as a writer, I have to break every stereotype out there about being both disabled and adopted – not by telling, but by showing. Second, I need to be comfortable with the fact that that double stigma will always be there.
I’ve never really stopped to think about it, but I’m one big ball of stereotypes. I seem to thrive on them because in a way they’re the tools that help me break down the wall that my disability has inadvertently built. They’ve also given my writing direction and purpose.
I think stereotypes act as a guide for the sometimes unpopular or unusual leaps and bounds we take in life as men and women—because if we don’t take them, we might as well consider ourselves bait for sharks in the ever-changing world.
Now that there seems to be a light at the end of this tunnel, it’s a little easier for us to continue tearing down the wall that many others have already blasted through.
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Photo: pauldukephotography/Flickr
Another super article, Erin.
Using the pieces of broken stereotypes is a great way of looking at empowerment. After you’ve been broken down and despite the odds, have broken through, what else can you do? They are battle scars and trophies and confidence boosters. I lived that and here’s what I have to show for it. Thanks for sharing your perspective!