RPC-Clothes and Caps

Published by Crackers Books,

2 August 2024

https://crackersbooks.com/papercrunch

Research Paper Crunch\\

Beyond Human Agency: The Power of Objects in Activism at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Brice, J. E. (2023). Clothes and caps: An exploration of the thing-power of objects and activism at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 58(6), 932-950.

The paper titled “Clothes and Caps: An Exploration of the Thing-Power of Objects and Activism at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games” explores the significant role that seemingly inanimate objects like unitards and swim caps play in the broader discourse of activism, specifically within the high-profile context of the Olympics. The study draws on new materialist theory and vital materialism, particularly the work of Jane Bennett, to argue that objects are not passive but have the agency to influence human actions and societal norms.

Reflection on the Paper:

1. The Agency of Objects:

The article challenges traditional views that see objects as inert. By emphasizing the ‘thing-power’ of objects like the unitards worn by German gymnasts and the Soul Cap designed for Black swimmers, the paper highlights how these items do more than function; they communicate and enact change. They aren’t just tools used by athletes but are participants in the dialogue about sexism and racism in sports. This perspective encourages us to think more deeply about the everyday objects around us and their potential impact on societal issues.

2. Broader Implications for Activism:

The study extends the discussion of activism to include non-human elements, which is a refreshing expansion of what activism can entail. It suggests that activism need not always be a human shouting on the streets; it can also be the silent yet powerful statement made by wearing a full-body unitard instead of a bikini-cut leotard, challenging the sexualization of female athletes. This broadens the scope of how we understand and engage with political and social activism, suggesting a more inclusive approach that recognizes the power of non-human agents.

3. Intersectionality of Struggles:

The paper effectively ties the individual acts of using different objects to broader social struggles against racism and sexism, encapsulated in the controversies around the banning of the Soul Cap and the choice of unitards. This intersectionality enriches the discourse, showing how various forms of discrimination are interconnected and how objects at the Olympics become symbols of these larger battles.

4. Challenges to Traditional Power Structures:

The analysis of how these objects challenge existing power structures within the world of sports governance, such as the International Olympic Committee and FINA, provides a critical examination of how entrenched norms and rules can be questioned and potentially rewritten. It’s a call to recognize and harness the power of objects within organized structures to promote equity and justice.

5. Methodological Inspiration:

For researchers and scholars, the paper serves as a methodological guide on how to incorporate new materialist theories into practical research. The detailed description of how thematic analysis was adapted to explore the agency of objects offers a novel methodological pathway for similar studies in the humanities and social sciences.

Lessons Learned:

• Objects can be powerful agents of change. Their design, usage, and the contexts in which they are embedded can challenge and alter social norms and expectations.

• Activism can and should be understood broadly to include the actions of non-human agents.

• Interdisciplinary approaches, such as those that bridge sports studies and materialist philosophies, can yield insightful analyses that challenge conventional understandings of both fields.