The Human Condition: Switzer

By Daniel Schnee on March 16, 2022.

Years ago I performed in a duo at a rock music festival featuring women as the headlining acts. As the emcee introduced us my bandmate received enthusiastic applause. When my name was announced there was polite applause, mixed with a small chorus of booing, since I was not female. I found this amusing, but it reminded me of how little resistance I have faced in the music industry due to gender: a little displeasure from the crowd is nothing compared to the various forms of discrimination women still face today.

Across the globe for example, women work the majority of job hours, and produce half of the world’s food, yet earn roughly 10 per cent of all income and own less than one per cent of the property. It would seem everywhere you go women face inequities… yet they “Switzer” on.

This is in reference to Kathrine Switzer, who in 1967 was the first woman to run the Boston marathon as an official competitor. When race manager Jock Semple discovered her participation, he literally ran onto the course and assaulted her while trying to drag her away (knocking down Switzer’s trainer in the process). Tom Miller, a 235-pound football player and Switzer’s boyfriend, knocked Semple over and she was able to complete the race regardless.

As a result of Switzer’s actions the Amateur Athletic Union completely banned women from racing against men until, after lobbying from Switzer and others, women were officially allowed to compete in the Boston marathon in 1972 (and the Olympics finally included the women’s marathon in 1984). Switzer and Semple would also eventually become close friends, after he had spent time meditating upon his actions.

Switzer’s example is a huge inspiration to anyone who knows her story, and a great example to share. She was merely trying to run a race and achieve a personal milestone, yet her womanhood was viewed as problematic; her presence a breach of etiquette. With attitudes like that it was high time the Boston marathon got “Switzered”: that she carried on with her business regardless of the adversity.

People often go out of their way to try to stop us from doing what we need or want to do in life, and a million criticisms and insults can build up on the inside, negatively affecting our health. Even Miller, Switzer’s boyfriend and ally, criticized her wearing lipstick to the race, though she wore lipstick so often it was not worth mentioning. Imagine the frustration of being taken to task all day and night over such things. Yet women Switzer on.

When we celebrate the accomplishments of men, much of the time there was no Switzering required on their part. I certainly don’t have to do very much Switzering to go where I want or get what I want. This gender imbalance must be addressed.

Kathrine Switzer was the first official female competitor to run the Boston marathon. But we still look forward to the day when we celebrate the last person ever who needs to fight their way to that sort of achievement; to have been denied their rightful place anywhere, for anything. Until then, we have a lot more Switzering to do.

Dr. Daniel Schnee is a cultural anthropologist and jazz drummer

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