Woke militarism at the Super Bowl?
This Sunday night, for the first time in history, the Super Bowl flyover during the national anthem will be piloted by an all-women team.
The NFL and the Pentagon have touted this “history-making” moment as a sign of their mutual commitment to women’s equality and diversity.¹ Others see it as a prime example of “woke-washing” by a pair of institutions desperate to deflect attention away from ongoing scandals involving sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and rampant misogyny within their ranks.² ³
If you’re interested in taking a closer look at the NFL’s attempts to brand itself as a bastion of gender equality – and also racial justice – while continuing to promote militarism, nationalism, and glamorized violence, be sure to check out Behind the Shield: Power and Politics in the NFL, the acclaimed new documentary featuring Dave Zirin of The Nation magazine.
Watch it for free now, spread the word, and join the conversation online! Click the tweet or the Facebook post below to share:
NOTE: If you’re an educator, just a reminder that the film is also available for your classes on Kanopy. You can see if your university has access to Kanopy here.
| “Behind the Shield is about so much more than football – it is about us and where we are as a nation and what lies ahead. If you love football, watch this film. If you care about justice, watch this film!” — Eddie S. Glaude Jr. | Head of African American Studies at Princeton University”Behind the Shield is terrifying and brilliant. After watching it, I now believe that you cannot understand this country without understanding NFL football. I will be showing this film in my classes FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.” — Robin D.G. Kelley | Professor and Chair of History, UCLA“Behind the Shield convincingly demonstrates that football is indeed the most American sport, then deftly deconstructs just what that Americanness implies. There is the brutality of racism, violence, militarism, and hypermasculinity, but also the courageous resistance and unyielding commitment of those who love America enough to, as James Baldwin wrote, ‘insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.’” — Melissa Harris-Perry | The Maya Angelou Presidential Chair at Wake Forest University“Dave Zirin is one of the foremost thought leaders on the intersection between sports, race, and politics. In Behind the Shield, his thoughtful critiques of the most powerful brand in sports are both necessary and patriotic.” — Jemele Hill | Sports Journalist, Contributing Writer, The Atlantic“You may not care about football—but [this] riveting documentary reminds us that we have a stake in understanding how powerful the NFL is in shaping our country, culture, and politics. A must-watch.” — Katrina vanden Heuvel | Editorial Director & Publisher, The Nation“A provocative, eye-opening documentary that upends conventional wisdom. You may not agree with everything in [this film]. But it will compel you to ponder, deeply.” — Ken Auletta | Media Critic for The New Yorker“Provocative and unflinching, Behind the Shield is not just about the NFL, but about who we are as Americans. This documentary is long overdue.” — Julie DiCaro | Sports Journalist, Author, Sidelined: Sports, Culture & Being a Woman in America“Outstanding! Exposes the heart of the menacing partnership between the NFL and the military-industrial complex. Watch this documentary, and then share it. The stakes are too high not to.” — Rory Fanning | Author, Former U.S. Army Ranger who served with Pat Tillman in Afghanistan “An exceptional expose of why American football fans’ and the NFL’s demand that we shouldn’t insert ‘politics in sports’ is itself so political. A must-watch.” “Behind the Shield offers a stark portrait that compels viewers to consider the power, pitfalls, and possibilities of the NFL’s continued cultural impact.” “An indispensable educational resource for our perilous political times. Whether you love professional football or hate it, if you want your students to understand how the sports/entertainment industry shapes dominant ideology, this film is your new best friend.” “Don’t miss this grand documentary!! David Zirin is the most brilliant and courageous sports intellectual in America!” |
