The 2024 Paris Olympics, a global stage meant to celebrate athleticism and unity, has instead illuminated the entrenched inequalities and systemic oppression that continue to plague marginalized communities, especially women of color. This article critically examines how the concepts of "testosterone" and "white tears" have been weaponized against Black women and other women of color, leading to their disqualification and marginalization. Additionally, it delves into the broader political context, including the presence of Israeli soldiers accused of genocide, which further complicates the moral landscape of these games. Through a careful analysis of these issues, this article seeks to shed light on the ongoing struggles faced by oppressed communities and calls for a reevaluation of what it means to be a strong woman in today’s world.
The Weaponization of Testosterone: Policing Black Women's Bodies
The regulation of testosterone levels in female athletes has become a highly contentious issue, with significant racial implications. In the 2024 Olympics, this debate reached new heights as Black women athletes were subjected to invasive testing and disqualification based on their natural hormone levels. The case of Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, exemplifies this problem. Despite her athletic prowess and undeniable achievements, Khelif found herself at the center of a gender controversy fueled by her elevated testosterone levels. These naturally occurring levels were deemed unacceptable by a Eurocentric standard of femininity that fails to account for the diversity of womanhood globally.
The insistence on regulating testosterone levels is not merely a scientific concern but a political one. It reflects a broader attempt to control and police the bodies of women of color, enforcing a narrow and exclusionary definition of womanhood that aligns with white, Western norms. As Payoshni Mitra, executive director of Humans of Sport, argues, "Sport is very Eurocentric — the approach is not necessarily global. We need to accept women in all their diversity. And we are not seeing that at this point."
This policing of bodies is not new. It echoes the historical dehumanization and objectification of Black women, who have long been subjected to scrutiny and violence based on their physicality. The legacy of slavery in the United States, where Black women were valued for their physical labor and reproductive capabilities, continues to inform how their bodies are regulated and controlled in modern society.
White Tears: A Tool of Oppression
While Black women athletes are disqualified for their natural bodies, white women continue to wield their tears as a weapon to oppress and marginalize women of color. The concept of "white tears" refers to the performative displays of emotion by white women used to deflect criticism, garner sympathy, and reinforce racial hierarchies. This phenomenon is deeply rooted in the history of racism in the United States, where white women have used their perceived vulnerability to justify violence against Black people.
One of the most infamous examples of this is the case of Carolyn Bryant Donham, whose false accusation led to the lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955. Despite clear evidence of her lies, Donham never faced legal consequences. This pattern of impunity for white women who weaponize their tears continues today, as seen in the case of Amy Cooper, who called 911 on a Black man, Christian Cooper, in Central Park, falsely claiming that he was threatening her.
In the context of the 2024 Olympics, white tears have been used to delegitimize the achievements of women of color and reinforce existing power structures. When faced with the success of athletes like Imane Khelif, who challenged Eurocentric norms of femininity, white women and their allies have often responded with accusations of unfairness and demands for stricter regulations. These reactions serve to maintain the status quo and ensure that women of color remain marginalized in the sporting world.
To understand the challenges of enforcing gender identity rules in sports, especially at the 2024 Olympics, this exploration of the rigid standards in international competitions provides valuable context. Here
The Political Context: Israeli Soldiers and the Genocide in Palestine
The 2024 Olympics also took place against the backdrop of ongoing violence in Palestine, where Israeli forces have been accused of committing genocide against the Palestinian people. The participation of Israeli athletes with military backgrounds in the Olympics has raised serious ethical concerns, with many calling for their expulsion from the games.
The presence of these athletes, involved in the oppression and killing of Palestinians, highlights deep moral contradictions at the heart of the Olympics. While the games are supposed to represent peace and unity, they have instead become a platform for normalizing violence and injustice. This issue is particularly glaring when compared to the swift action taken by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) against Russian and Belarusian athletes following the invasion of Ukraine. The IOC's refusal to hold Israel to the same standard reveals a troubling double standard in how the organization addresses human rights violations.
To learn more about the troubling defense of Israeli soldiers accused of rape during the 2024 Olympics, explore the controversial stance taken by Israeli leaders by Al Jazeera here.
The Inequality of Justice: The Double Standards in Olympic Policies
The IOC's policies on gender and eligibility have consistently disadvantaged women of color, particularly Black women. The cases of athletes like Sha'Carri Richardson, Christine Mboma, and Caster Semenya illustrate how these policies are not only discriminatory but also deeply rooted in a colonial mindset that seeks to control and subjugate non-Western bodies.
Sha'Carri Richardson's exclusion from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to a positive marijuana test is a prime example of how the rules are applied selectively to punish Black women. Despite the fact that marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug and that Richardson was using it to cope with the trauma of losing her mother, she was barred from competing. This decision cannot be divorced from the racial disparities in marijuana enforcement, where Black people are disproportionately targeted and punished.
Similarly, Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi, two Namibian runners, were disqualified from the Olympics due to their naturally high testosterone levels. These athletes were subjected to the same invasive testing and scrutiny that Caster Semenya has faced for years, despite the lack of scientific consensus on whether elevated testosterone levels provide a competitive advantage. The policing of their bodies reflects a broader attempt to enforce Western norms of femininity and exclude those who do not conform.
Female athletes of color at the 2024 Olympics face intensified scrutiny over gender and identity, highlighting enduring racial and gender biases in sports by ABC News, here.
Historical Context: The Role of White Tears in Legal Battles
The weaponization of white tears has not been limited to sports; it has also played a significant role in the legal system. Throughout history, white women have used their perceived vulnerability to manipulate legal outcomes and maintain their privileged status. This tactic has been particularly effective in cases involving accusations of sexual violence, where white women have leveraged their tears to secure convictions against Black men and boys.
One of the most notorious examples of this is the case of the Scottsboro Boys, nine Black teenagers falsely accused of raping two white women in Alabama in 1931. Despite the lack of evidence and the recantation of one of the accusers, the boys were convicted and sentenced to death. The case became a symbol of the racial injustice permeating the American legal system, where the word of a white woman was enough to condemn a Black man to death.
In more recent years, the case of Emmett Till has become a touchstone for discussions about the weaponization of white tears. Till's brutal murder and the subsequent acquittal of his killers, who later confessed to the crime, exemplify how white women's tears have been used to justify heinous acts of violence against Black people. The fact that Carolyn Bryant Donham, Till's accuser, never faced any legal consequences for her actions only underscores the enduring power of white tears in the American legal system.
To explore the impact of 'white women's tears' as a powerful and often harmful tool in racial dynamics, this article delves into how these emotional displays have historically been weaponized to maintain power and perpetuate injustice. Read this here.
The Need for Rebalancing: Redefining Womanhood and Justice
The events of the 2024 Olympics, coupled with the broader historical and political context, underscore the urgent need to reevaluate our understanding of womanhood and justice. The narrow definitions of femininity and the selective application of rules and policies have consistently marginalized women of color, denying them the recognition and opportunities they deserve.
It is time to acknowledge the diversity of womanhood and to celebrate the achievements of all women, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or physical characteristics. This means challenging the Eurocentric standards that have long dominated the world of sports and ensuring that all athletes are judged based on their talent and dedication, rather than their conformity to outdated and exclusionary norms.
Moreover, the IOC and other sporting bodies must take a firm stand against human rights violations, whether they occur in Palestine, Ukraine, or elsewhere. The selective enforcement of rules and the willingness to turn a blind eye to certain injustices only serve to undermine the credibility of these organizations and the values they claim to uphold.
Shadow over the games
The 2024 Olympics should have been a celebration of athletic achievement and global unity, but instead, it has exposed the deep-seated inequalities and systemic oppression that continue to plague our society. The weaponization of testosterone and white tears against women of color, coupled with the participation of Israeli soldiers accused of genocide, has cast a shadow over the games and raised serious ethical questions.
As we move forward, it is imperative that we challenge the narrow definitions of womanhood that have been used to marginalize and exclude women of color. We must also hold powerful institutions like the IOC accountable for their role in perpetuating these injustices. Only by doing so can we hope to create a world where all women are celebrated for their strength, resilience, and achievements, and where justice is truly equal for all.
