I have recently been criticized for using “suggestive” or “sexy”photos to help ‘sell’ myself in the MMA community. On my
blog there is a topless photo of me covering my breasts with my arms, and my fan page has a topless photo of me covered with the TKO Welterweight belt. I do not deny at all that these photos are suggestive and sexy. What I am concerned with is why people are criticizing me for it.
Let me make it clear that whether you agree with me or not, at the end of the day I am still going to be okay with what I do. I made my bed and I sleep like a baby.
My ‘Sexy’ Photos:“Those who mind, don’t matter… and those who matter don’t mind.” ~Dr. Seuss
It is my mission to remain 100% me, as I pursue a spot in the MMA world. I refuse to fit inside a cookie cutter shape of what some people want a journalist (or anyone, for that matter) to look and act like. I understand that people don’t believe it’s professional to post sexy photos, but I am not trying to be the next Loretta Hunt or Maggie Hendricks. I’m trying to be Erin McDougall.
Sex appeal and combat sports are not newly combined. We have ring girls that work for every organization, strutting their stuff at every show. If we freely accept these girls, why is it a big deal if I use suggestive photos? It is not as though I am at an event, doing interviews topless. Do I have to be a ring girl to be ‘allowed’ to show some skin?
Critics have said that my photos are up for viewing out of desperation for attention. They can believe what ever they want; all that truly matters is what I believe of myself. I do not need attention from these photos. I could post photos of me jumping on my bed in sweat pants and no makeup, and I would still have people who love to know more about me, and still have people who love to hate me.
I believe everything is cool in moderation and to each their own. I have never said or hinted that ‘using’ sexuality is an empowering thing to do. What I think IS empowering is being yourself, regardless of how many people judge you for it.
The way I write…“If I am not for myself, who will be?” ~ Rabbi Hillel
Alluding to sex is not something I do in every article I write, as some critics have suggested. Are there sexual undertones in some articles? Absolutely. That’s my style. Why is society so threatened by girl who is not threatened by her own sexuality? Why do people try to make me feel shameful about this trait? It’s not as though I am sleeping around and stripping for money. If how I write make some people uncomfortable, annoyed, or upset, that is about their own issues and insecurities that are coming up to the surface. It’s not about me.
There are many different ways to doing things, including covering MMA. Julie Veilleux (AKA “Metric” Julie) is a MMA journalist and she writes in a style completely opposite of me. She doesn’t agree with playing the‘sexuality card’ but that’s okay. How boring would it be if all the females out there wanting to be involved in MMA blogging, did it the same way as Julie? It’s a blessing to her that we don’t, as then it would take away the uniqueness of what she offers.
There are multiple websites available to give you the stats, the records, the break down of match ups and the fighting styles… I want to have some fun with MMA and tap into the social side of it. I want to make myself laugh and hopefully others, too. I want to expose and down right make passionate love to the fact, that hello, these fighters are human beings and maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have some fun with them. This approach works for me. If people don’t like it, and want to stick to the traditional way of doing things, than by all means, click on Sherdog and not my blog.
To each their own:When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. ~African Proverb
I am proud of any one who grinds the grind and puts in time to work towards their dreams. I support those who support. That’s something I live by. If you are chasing your dreams and encouraging people along the way to chase their dreams, I am going to support you no matter what you do. Whether you are a ring girl or a modest journalist who does not tap into her sexuality in order to create her work. We all have our roles. I’m going to back you regardless. It’s too bad that can’t be done for more people.
Just like it takes all kinds of fans to make up this sport, it takes many different angles to report and cover it fully. I use sexual photos on my blog, and yes, that grabs people’s attention. Those photos are not stunting the growth of MMA or down playing what women, including myself, are capable of. What I believe DOES stunt the growth of the sport, is the segregation between the MMA personalities within the community. If we can’t even support and accept each other for who we are within the sport, how can we ever expect the outer communities to accept us or support us?
Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. I am open to hearing when people disagree with mine. Say what you want, and I thank you for your opinion, but I don’t need your approval. I won’t down play what makes me who I am, in order to fit into a“mans world.”
** Erin, your the Shit.... Keep doing what your doing! Many of us appreciate your contribution to MMA.
And remember.... You Can't Win, Until You
STEP IN.
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