Subject: re: Girls in Magic Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 17:40:44 -0400 From: The Johnsons To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com I just finished "Girls in Magic", and the many others that were inspired by it. I am a female, I have played since Beta, I feel that most of what I have to say, has already been stated, so I won't bore you with repitition. Kim Eikefet's article covers just about everything that I was feeling once I finished Cathy's article. I just wish to add my own feelings and attempt to say, as some other people already have, that not all female players feel the way Cathy feels. The first thing that really caught my eye was that Cathy stated that it "bugs the hell out of her" that there are not more females involved in the game. And she continues by saying she is not sure who or what to blame. Why does there have to be blame placed? No one is to blame. I can think of many reasons why someone would not have a desire to play Magic, especially in a larger tournament, but not just a female, I am sure that it would also discourage some males. Honestly, body odor alone is enough to make a person rethink playing Magic. The next thing she said that made me feel like I needed to write this article is "Girls get very little respect in the game". I don't know where you play Cathy, but Ohio is filled with men encouraging women to play. Recently at Ohio Valley Regionals, I was told by a married man that he was happy to see the turn out of women, and that his wife had wanted to be there competing but was not able because of work. Even more recently, at Exodus pre-release, in a booster draft, I sat at a table and drafted with 7 men, I knew some would underestimate me as a drafter, but I used that to my advantage, as any intelligent player would, male of female. I get a small feeling of accomplishment when I play a person at a tournament and earn their respect. Right before pre-release I went to a local sealed tourney, I endured 3 very difficult games with a man who later made the statement to a friend of mine "that was one tough chick". I took this as a compliment (even though he did call me "chick"), and smiled, making a mental note of the guys face, knowing that he would be more careful next time, and that I would also have to be more careful because he will be prepared for me. Sure there will always be the guy that says something like, "I hope I get to play her, it'll be an easy win", but if he were sitting at a table and the person he thought he would have to play was male who is to say the guy would not say the same thing in an attempt to intimidate him? Sadly, intimidation is a factor in this game, if a person, male OR female can not handle it, then that person will never accomplish much as a player. The last thing I wish to respond to is the statement "I think it is the lack of exposure and inspiration". I am assuming Cathy is saying the lack of exposure and inspiration of other women. To this I wish to respond by saying, I do not need a female to inspire me, nor do I need the exposure of a female player doing well to encourage my game play. I have role models in this game, none of whom I will mention becasue I do not feel it relevant. All that needs to be said is that just becasue a female is searching for a role model in a game does not mean that she needs to limit herself to people just of her own sex, that would be silly. I do want to say that Cathy did make some very thoughtful observations, all of which I read and took to heart, it would be encouraging to see more females do well, but this is the way it is for now, and I will not let it bug me because it is not that way. I hope I have not angered or hurt any feelings, if I have, I am sorry, I just feel that I needed to respond to this in the only way I could, honestly, and in what I hope is considered an intelligent manner. :) Jill Burcham