Cheerleading is not everyone’s cup of tea

"Men see us as nothing but pieces of meat," were the words of an American when questioned about her encounters with sexism as an IPL cheerleader.

At first glance, you may find her embody the epitome of grace and vivacity, captivating hearts with synchronised routines and infectious energy. Yet, beneath the veneer of entertainment lies a darker reality, a reality where she is reduced to mere objects of male gratification, her worth measured by superficial standards of beauty and desirability.

The dynamics of power and privilege inherent in the IPL ecosystem perpetuate a culture of ‘objectification', where the female body appears no less than a commodity to be consumed at will. Catcalling, a manifestation of this deeply ingrained sexism, serves as a constant reminder of women's perceived inferiority and disposability. The anonymity afforded by the crowd emboldens scores of individuals to unleash their misogynistic impulses, relegating cheerleaders to mere spectacles for the male gaze.

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"There are many nasty men who are always up to something. For the most part, it is unpleasant. As women, we are conditioned to overlook such behaviour from men from a young age, so I guess this is what we have been doing here too. It doesn't really take much for us to be called sexual objects you know, and that is just so sad. I enjoy what I do regardless, dance is my favourite thing in the world and I'm not going to let others' opinions about my profession affect me," added the 24-year-old.

What may seem like harmless banter to some is, in reality, a form of psychological violence, a relentless assault on the dignity and self-worth of those targeted, she says. Naturally, the impact of such behaviour extends far beyond the confines of the stadium, permeating every aspect of the cheerleaders' lives and leaving indelible scars on their psyche.

Yet, amid this adversity, there exists a quiet defiance, a refusal to be silenced or sidelined in the face of oppression!

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"You see I like to call myself a feminist, and I admit that I am bothered. Why should we be looked down upon as mere objects? I got through this contract because I am a good dancer, but people seem to have formed all kinds of baseless opinions about us. Honestly, it gets tough with all the catcalling and ogling. We don't get paid so well as you may think, so it is really a loss. Most of the girls never last beyond one season and you know why," said the psychology graduate.

The commodification of women's bodies in the entertainment industry is not unique to the IPL but is rather symptomatic of a larger societal malaise, a culture that thrives on the ‘objectification' and exploitation of female performers. "There was a time when a boy, probably in his mid-20s, requested me for a selfie. He was being cheered on by his friends who were calling me all sorts of names in their language and it was so uncomfortable for me. All I could understand was that he was trying to say he wanted to marry me. It was so uncomfortable, thankfully the guards took notice and escorted them out. After that incident, I have made a rule for myself to not take pictures with these fans unless they are women and children," she said.

This culture of impunity, she argued, surrounding catcalling exacerbates the problem. Many perpetrators feel emboldened to engage in such behaviour because they believe they will meet with no consequences for their actions. Therefore, this lack of accountability further marginalises the victims and only normalises the idea that it is acceptable to treat cheerleaders as ‘objects' of ‘sexual gratification'.

Too often, their perspectives are sidelined or ignored in favour of maintaining the status quo. By listening to their stories, we can strive towards a future wherein individuals of all genders can engage in sports and entertainment devoid of apprehension regarding harassment or objectification.

[The source has chosen to remain anonymous in order to protect her safety]

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are the author's personal views, and do not represent the views of Mid-Day