Argumentative Essay On Marion Jones

We usually consider an individual to be exceptional if that person has one or more abilities that most people do not have. Marion Jones, a black, beautiful and determined women as stated in the film “Copy of 30 for 30 Marion Jones press,” faced huge consequences and jeopardized her career, reputation, and integrity. In 2008, Marion Jones was convicted and sentenced to six months in federal prison for lying to federal prosecutors about steroid use. At such a young age Marion showed exceptional individualism she was offered a basketball scholarship to the University of North Caroline Chapel Hill. Even her coach Silvia Hatchell said that Jones portrayed the structure of a movie star. Marion had it all, she was on the cover is various U.S magazines such as Sports Illustrated,

Time, and Vogue. People viewed her as an american hero and described her as someone greater than gold. Marion had high standards to live up to, her reputation was highly viewed and admirable. Marion was not seen as a human, rather this super hero who did it all and has no competition.
According to Hall, inferential racism is more widespread and in many ways more damaging because it is largely invisible. It seemed as if the media couldn’t accept that Marion Jones was indeed the fastest women in the world. They raised various speculations against Marion and the people were starting to question her talent especially when the media pointed out her husband at the time, Hunter. He was taken out of the Sydney Olympics for testing positive for steroid use. However she kept denying the allegations several times. The rumors of her using steroids once again came around when her new partner Tim Montgomery was suspended and banned from track and field for using steroids, yet she denied all the rumors against her. It wasn't until 2007, that she admitted to lying to prosecutors about steroid use stating:

“I have let my family down. I have let my country down, and I have let myself down. I recognize that by saying I am deeply sorry, it might not be enough and sufficient to address the pain and hurt that I’ve caused you.”

By her recognizing she let her country down, we get a knowledge of how much of an impact athletes have in the world.
When it comes to race, the media displays certain images of black athlete women. In sports, white men are classified as the epitome of true patriots and models for the community, yet a black female athlete is stereotyped to appear more manly than other women causing them to appear too manly and threatening. A whole new controversy sparked when her punishment was 6 months in jail, followed by 3 years of probation and 800 hours of community service. Todd Balf, was one of the first writers to question if race had played a part for Jones punishment. He states, “Black women have long been subject to stereotypes and forms of dehumanization that are specific to the history of their radicalized gender identity and status.” More than 30% of inmates in prison are black females. This is nothing but a representation of how the law continues to discipline black females. Author Giroux, a cultural critic, has no doubt that the treatment of Marion Jones was due to white supremacy and system of domination america has.
During the 1950’s, it was considered the elimination of several women’s track and field events from the games because they did not represent the female body. It was stated by Cahns, author of Cinderella's of Sport, “By midcentury the sport had a reputation as a masculine endeavor unsuited to feminine athletes.”Olympic official Norman Cox proposed that instead of banning track and field, the women with masculine attributes should get tested. He believed that the women Olympians were not biologically females. His statement sparked great controversy because the Olympians he was referring to were African american women. He reinforced these negative stereotypes of black women, he considered black female athletes as less feminine than other white women. Norman was not the only one making negative remarks towards black female track and field athletes. In 1929, Frederick Rogers wrote that the these female athletes had too much strength, endurance, and neuromuscular skill therefore their bodies were too unnatural to represent the female athletes. He lets everyone know that by being to muscular it not only affects your health but your physical beauty and social attractiveness. Richard Crepeau, author of, “Sport, Heroes and Myth”, mentions that the strong can be a threat to social order because they can’s be controlled. The dangers of power and aggression are known to be both feared and admired, therefore “heroes of strength/power must be harnesses. These men were not glorifying african american athletes for their outstanding performance, rather they were dehumanizing them and making negative remarks about their physical attributes. However, olympians Alice, Mae and Wilma were heroes to many because they were able to demonstrate to the public that african american women could be successful an american culture even though the racial and gender stereotypes caused them damage.
It is no surprise that black women are taunted with racial stigma.

A great example was given the essay, “Forget Me . . . Not: Marion Jones and the Politics of Punishment,” Delia informs us that, “If a white man disobeys the laws he's classified as law abiding and virtuous, but when black women they are upheld as a threat to american cultural values. “Judge Karas, delivers an unfair and biased statement on why Marion deserved her time in prison. He’s aware that athletes in society have this prestige status, not only do they entertain, they also inspire young children. He punished Marion, “because of the need for general deterrence and the need to promote respect for the law.” Yet, his statement is very contradicting having in mind that other male athletes are getting away with using PED’s. The judge’s ruling meant that Jones would lose all that she gained because of the fact of her black femaleness. It’s very unfair and saddening that women in this case Marion, was punished unfairly due to her gender and race. William Rhoden, sportswriter said that the court historically does not have mercy on black people in America. Marion Jones is the first athlete to go to jail for lying about steroid

use.
We can also see an inequality in gender. There has been other great well known athletes that test positive in steroids, yet their punishment is nowhere near what Marion faced. For instance, lets take a look at Jason Giambi, a baseball player that publicly admitted that he indeed used PED’s for health purposes and did not get in any federal trouble. We also have Roger Clemens who lied to Congress about taking PED’s, and was found not guilty. Barry Bonds also lied about taking steroids and he on the other hand only received house arrest and probation. These talented male athletes all had very similar situations just like Marion, if not the same, sadly they continued to gain an income with other positions in baseball and were not placed in jail for a ridiculous amount of time. It is crystal clear that the law continues to organize this system and regulate the racial and social character of american society.

In order for Marion to gain her credibility and fans she had to display the feminine side of her. In the movie we see her living like any other citizen, she goes to church, drops her kids at school and exercises. As mentioned by Delia, Marion was going against the stereotypes against black women, she was leading a life that reflected american values. She no longer had this surplus of masculinity, we saw the maternal side of her and people were able to relate to her at a certain level and realize that she’s a human who makes mistakes. She wrote a book called “Take a Break” which provides youth with skills to made positive life decisions. Along with that, she established the Marion Jones elite performance program in Texas, which offers young women the opportunity to seek their potential in basketball and sport training. She wants to gain her commnity’s trust by speaking publicly about her journey. Marion Jones is one of the many black female athletes that are judged more harshly that other due to their gender and color of skin. Marion was cheated by the system but due to her fame and connections she was able to rebuild her life, something that many african american women cant achieve.