There’s a definite reason Megan Rapinoe tends to limit her interviews to those who won’t push back against her views. For the former soccer star, it’s really the only way to avoid getting flustered or walking out in anger.
Her responses often leave her exposed, resting uncomfortably on what could be called Mindless Mountain.
A recent chat with comedian W. Kamau Bell highlighted this tendency.
They discussed various topics, one notably being the inclusion of trans individuals in women’s sports, an area where Rapinoe has been a firm supporter.
Bell started the conversation by acknowledging the prevailing fears about trans women’s impact on sports, which he noted Rapinoe courageously speaks out against.
Rapinoe responded, expressing her horror at the absence of basic empathy and humanity in these discussions, criticizing the fear and hate present while lamenting athletes’ silence.
Some could argue that her notion of humanity may be missing when it comes to those who feel marginalized or compromised in competitions against biological males. Just last week, I saw a girl who was up against that very issue decide not to race against a boy. She was in tears, clearly distressed. Does Rapinoe pause to consider the effects on her?
As for those quiet athletes? Perhaps they’re being silent as a reflection of their true opinions—maybe they don’t agree with her stance, like a majority of Americans. Unlike Rapinoe, who has nothing to lose in the arena, these athletes have a lot at stake.
The discussion continued, with Bell probing Rapinoe about her lack of fear regarding trans women in sports. He invoked an extreme example for dramatic effect.
Rapinoe downplayed this, suggesting that portraying a trans athlete as a superhuman threat was unrealistic, emphasizing the struggles trans individuals face just to compete.
However, this viewpoint feels a bit detached from reality, considering instances like a high school runner from Camas, Washington, who switched teams and found immediate success in girls’ competitions without any apparent efforts to adapt his presentation.
Rapinoe then made a strong statement, arguing that sports have never been fair in the first place.
Bell interjected, pointing out examples like towering basketball players to illustrate unfair advantages.
Rapinoe expanded on this idea, suggesting that fairness should take a backseat to core human rights, as she reflected on her own extensive success in sports.
Sure, she’s won across levels, but it’s hard to overlook instances where she and her team faced serious challenges. A well-remembered match against a group of 15-year-old boys from Dallas comes to mind, which didn’t end well for her team. One can’t help but wonder if this shapes her perspective on gender competition.
The rationale behind sport fairness seems misplaced, alongside Bell’s flawed comparison of natural physical advantages and those stemming from a gender identity shift.
If there are no rules in sports, then we undermine the very essence of competition itself. The absence of regulations or classifications wouldn’t create a level playing field. There will always be athletes who excel, yet the current debates about inclusion in women’s sports feel like a complete disregard for the reasons women’s sports exist.
I’m left questioning if Rapinoe believes what she’s saying. After all, she has witnessed what elite players are capable of against younger, less experienced opponents.
It seems more like she’s catering to a particular ideology rather than engaging earnestly. The activist known for kneeling during the national anthem appears to only entertain those who share her views.
