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Monday, October 2, 2017

Battle of The Sexes - The Movie

Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in New York in June 1973
 three months before their match in Houston.
 King won the match 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
Photograph: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
There are some of us that live a de facto female life or would under the correct circumstances. By 2017 standards it is not too bad of a life. Yes, as a female I have encountered a loss or privilege and felt the sting of being paid less for doing the same job as a man. However females ”Have come a long way” and we have many of our sisters that have fought, to thank. 

One such battles is highlighted in the movie “Battle of The Sexes”.  It is about Billie Jean King. King famously beat former men's world No. 1 Bobby Riggs in a historical tennis match back in 1973 -- a victory that was seen as a huge leap forward for women's rights and equality. 


Riggs’s assertion that women belong in “the bedroom and the kitchen” gets a good giggle today, however, this was a male battle cry in 1973. A media circus preceded the event as Riggs publicly taunted King—“I'm going to put in the ‘show’ back in the chauvinism.”—building up hype for what would become the most-watched tennis match of all time.



I remember the hype and the match as well. At the time, I am sure I secretly pulled for Billy Jean, even then relating to my inner female persona. Seeing the movie this past weekend brought back the reality of what it must have been like to be a woman in times past. Think about this - In 1973 Billie Jean remembers:


And women in 1973 could not even get a credit card on their own. They had to have co-signing by a male... People don't realize that -- they've forgotten.

Should we never forget that there are those who have fought and made it possible that “We have come a long way”. Also, let us not forget that we still have battles to win. If we really want to be viewed as female then let us always stand and fight with our sisters to win equality of all. The battle of the sexes is not over by a long shot.  

I highly recommend the movie as entertainment and as a tribute to one who fought for female equal pay and standing. It also makes a strong statement for living an authentic life and being who we are.  



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