9/2/2012- Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, U.S Olympic Gold Medalist

If you were to meet Alex Morgan on the streets of Seattle you would see a laid-back tomboy. Known for wearing gym clothes wherever she goes, all Alex Morgan wanted was to make the U.S Women’s National Soccer Team. She is the youngest girl in history to make the U.S National team, and is the youngest girl in the world to win a gold medal in soccer in the London Olympics. Alex Morgan competed in the World Cup against Japan and will also compete in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Alex Morgan was named “Espy’s” Best Breakthrough Athlete in 2012, beating out several male athletes. Despite all of her athletic achievements, Alex graduated top of her class at The University of California- Berkley. Majoring in Political Economy, Alex hopes to run for U.S Senate at some point in her life.

Despite her very impressive achievements both on the soccer field and off, most people see Alex Morgan like this:  

Alex Morgan Sports Illustrated Cover

Alex Morgan's full interview with Sports Illustrated is here: Alex Morgan- Sports Illustrated

In this picture, as well as in the full article of Sports Illustrated very rarely are her soccer achievements talked about. In this picture Alex Morgan is portrayed as a sex symbol. Not only is this picture objectifying Alex Morgan, she is not seen for her achievements. If someone were to see this picture, being unaware of the soccer star Alex Morgan, you would think she was just another swimsuit model. These women are being objectified for their bodies rather than their skills. In 2012, Alex Morgan was listed as number 66 in Maxim’s Hot 100. Maxim’s Hot 100 is a men’s magazine ranking girls based on their image.

Alex Morgan Maxim Cover

Again, nowhere in this article does it say she graduated top in her class, or that she is the lead scorer or the U.S Olympic Soccer team. As we discussed in class, women and people of different racial backgrounds rarely have control on how they are depicted within the media. Magazines such as Sports Illustrated and Maxim portray these women as trophies, not women we should aspire to be. When men are portrayed in Magazines, they radiate success and power. Women are just as strong and powerful as men, yet they are not shown this way to younger generations. Change will come when women have control over how they are portrayed within the media. 

Alex Morgan talks about her photos in Sports Illustrated: