Obama Enrages Conservatives: ‘Playing Like A Girl Means You’re A Badass’


President Barack Obama noted how the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s win of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 has changed the meaning of “playing like a girl” You’re by referring to the team as “badass.” Their win followed their 5-2 victory against Japan earlier this year.

During a speech made in honor of the U.S. Women’s National Team on Tuesday, Obama confirmed suspicions that all female sports team can excel. Referring to the Women’s National Team, Obama stated:

“This team taught all America’s children that playing like a girl means being a badass.”

Obama’s speech was made during a reception held in the White House’s East Room in order to honor the players of the U.S. Women’s National Team, who won the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since 1999 in July this year. Obama gave personal praise to midfielder Carli Lloyd who scored three goals in the final and even suggested she would make an excellent President.

Obama helps to take a step forward for feminism by acknowledging the talent possessed by these influential women and openly honoring them for their achievements in soccer, something which for such a long period of time has been dominated by men.

His words of praise can help us to reconsider, and hopefully redefine, what it means to “play like a girl.” Not only does he, quite rightly, draw a direct comparison between female athletes and being a “badass,” but he later goes on to say that, “playing like a girl means being the best,” which is a positive and refreshing way to redefine a phrase that has had negative connotations for such a long time.

Obama said that the U.S. Women’s National Team has “inspired girls to dream bigger,” and — just as importantly — “inspired millions of boys to look at girls differently.”

This huge achievement for the Women’s National Team acts as a huge step for women worldwide, one that will hopefully contribute to eradicating sexism, not just within the sporting world, but in all areas currently dominated by men.

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Natasha is a freelance writer, feminist, and coffee addict based in the UK. She has a Master's degree in Literary Studies and specialised in Gender Studies throughout her time at University. She spends her free time collecting tattoos and dying her hair bizarre colours, much to her girlfriend's dismay.