IndyCar driver Danica Patrick has a lot going for her.
She’s the fourth woman ever to compete in the Indianapolis 500, her fourth starting position was the highest ever attained in the race by a female driver, and she was the first female driver lead the race at Indianapolis. In last year’s Indianapolis 500 she finished third, one spot better than her 2005 finish, and a new record for a female driver in the race.
She’s young, she’s beautiful, and she’s been so successful making history for women through meaningful participation in a traditionally male sport that I REALLY REALLY want to like her.
But her own actions make it awfully hard to do that.
Her actions and associations off the racetrack only confirm sexist stereotypes that the greatest contribution a woman can make to any sport is to look pretty and take off her clothes. It’s ironic that a woman who has made such positive contributions as a woman in racing would be the same person who drags women right back down again.
I’m sure Patrick’s GoDaddy sponsorship is earning her big bucks, but that company’s ad campaigns featuring sexually suggestive scenes and mostly undressed women is beyond demeaning. Patrick’s own barely-clothed participation in those ads (and other places like the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue) are a professional embarrassment.
Dear Danica, I want to tell her, You are a race car driver. That is really cool! You do not need to humiliate yourself to impress us.
I remember when Patrick first came on the racing scene and Formula One president and CEO Bernie Ecclestone scandalized most of us when he said in response to Patrick’s fourth-place finish at the Indianpolis 500:
“You know I’ve got one of those wonderful ideas ... women should be dressed in white like all the other domestic appliances.”
At the time, I was outraged that a man would so publicly diminish the accomplishments of a woman—disrespecting and objectifying her simply because she was female.
But when I look at Danica Patrick’s actions since that time, I wonder if there is anything left to be indignant about. Patrick is proving Ecclestone right. He doesn’t need to disrespect, demean or objectify her anymore. She’s doing a fine job of that, all on her own.
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Agree!!! GoDaddy is a second-rate internet service and she appears to be heading towards second-rate rankings as a driver. Interestingly enough, NBC Sports recently listed her - along with several others - as one of recently ‘over-hyped’ athletes. Sure, she has done well ‘for a woman’ but has not done well as a driver. Her actions, as you point out, make even that statement iffy.
Danielle, I couldn’t agree with you more. I have seen the GoDaddy promotional pieces she has done and it just seems ridiculous to me. As far as I’m concerned a woman who takes off her clothes for money is a stripper and a woman who exploits her sexuality for money is a much harsher word.
I believe that Jesus’ words and actions during his earthly ministry have offered a liberation for women in so many ways. I’ve written a few posts about this topic recently. Here’s the latest: Women in the Church
Thanks Danielle for speaking your mind and standing up for your fellow females. Keep up the awesome work! God bless…
I feel you, Danielle. I was so excited when Danica signed with Rahal Letterman because she can DRIVE! I think the overexposure from her classless sponsors will in the end hurt her legacy.
Oh, I know! That type of thing bothers me so much. When will female celebrities embrace their dignity? They are only hurting themselves and the rest of us.
Danielle, I completely agree!
I’ve been a life-long race fan and for years and years, racing was a family sport….these days I cringe at almost every ad that runs during the races and to give my daughters this example of female “leadership” in the sport is down-right pathetic.
I am so saddened by the fact that Danica Patrick would need to behave in such a manner to boost her ratings…. too bad she didn’t have enough confidence in her driving ability as to tell them all to get lost….
You’re absolutely right. My feelings exactly!
AMEN!!! My husband and I grew up in Indy and as students in a Catholic grade school close to the Speedway, we heard the sweet hum of the race cars practicing all of May. We knew all the stories of the race car drivers and their families. I told my husband this year, when we were watching the race, that I longed for the day when Danica Patrick wasn’t part of the 500. I liked it better when it was about racing ability and not about Danica. I also hate that the commercials during sporting events are so sexually suggestive. I cringe because of all of the young boys watching. It’s a national tragedy.
Danica Patrick is Catholic. May God bless her and keep her safe in the palm of His hand whenever she races.
Connecting the dots:
“It’s ironic that a woman who has made such positive contributions as a woman in racing would be the same person who drags women right back down again.”
Promiscuous behavior in a milieu of personal, individual upward mobility, that is, for personal advantage, is a zero point of cultural evolution. We forget the precious heritage of innocence and the joy of home and community parties, including dancing, that were fostered within families that prayed together. Our Christian heritage bought us to a golden age with the help of Father Peyton and his friends. Without Our Lord the human default is the life Danica Patrick feels forced to live. Take care of number one! But that drags women and all of us right back down again, into a lonely life without long lasting family relationships nurtured by grace. Indeed think of China: one cousin, no aunts and uncles. Oh my! The boisterous joy of large, prayerful families. How sweet it is. It is sad to realize that many are now raised without any cultural heritage. Their highest joy is securing personal advantage. How sad.
So let’s serve the Lord with gladness and bring His joy to these lost souls.
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