I was reading the local papers this Sunday morning and saw the article where girls won five of the six first place awards in this year's Soapbox Derby in Akron, Ohio, see TNT story. And when presenting the awards to the winner, General Manager Jeff Iula said, "You guys are getting real strong,”
This from the Derby's GM? While this may have been an off-the-cuff comment in the moment, it's sexist and demeaning to these girls and all girls. And while "you guys" is a common phrase used by men and women alike, it's inappropriate for the time and place, and "getting" is an understatement. What doesn't he understand about winning five of six top place awards? That's not "getting", it's being there.
All he had to say was, "This is a good moment for young women and girls. Let us celebrate their achievement as racers." Was he afraid of embarrassing the boys? I doubt the girls really care about the comment, after all they have some really nice awards to show everyone, including boys, and say, "Gee, look what I won?"
Maybe next year Mr. Iula will get his sexist head out of his ass and be gender appropriate?
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