We’re chatting with the incredible Shireen Ahmed next week about abuse in sports and in honour of this multi-talented powerhouse of a human, here’s some Shireen knowledge:

1. You can join us in conversation!

Instagram Live Chat with Shireen Ahmed - Abuse in Sports and Why Accountability Matters

An instagram live chat with Shireen Ahmed (@footybedsheets) multi-platform sports journalist, a TEDx speaker, podcaster, mentor, and an award-winning sports activist who focuses on the intersections of racism and misogyny in sports.

When: Wednesday, May 4th at 1pm YST/4pm EST
Where: @DWS_EndViolence on Instagram

HOW TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Follow DWS on Instagram (@DWS_EndViolence) and you will get a notification when we start the live chat. The video is published to our reels, so folks can watch it later too.

No Instagram account or smartphone? No problem! We will post the live chat on our blog so you can take a peek.

2. Shireen’s fave movie is Bend it Like Beckham

“I pride myself on being a self-declared Bend It Like Beckham scholar. I have written about the importance of this film in graduate school (I got an 'A' on the paper), I interviewed Chadha when the musical version of the movie hit Toronto, and I continue to speak about the importance of this film on many levels: as a soccer player, a South Asian daughter, and as a racialized woman sports journalist in mainstream media.” - Shireen Ahmed for CBC Sports

3. She’s talking about the intersections

“I struggled to admit publicly that I battled depression and anxiety. I did it when I was on a conference panel with other journalists speaking of their own experiences. It affected me so profoundly that I found the voice inside me to say that I, too, struggled with mental-health issues. 

In the hyper-masculine world of sports, we need people to help us understand that these struggles are more the norm than the exception.” - Shireen Ahmed for CBC Sports

4. As well as ending racism

“Some may feel the need to defend Campion and argue that her issue wasn't about race, it was about gender. But Serena and Venus Williams cannot separate their race from their gender nor should they ever be expected to. The faster that all women understand this, the better off we will be. I would have loved to be happy for Campion and her win. But I remain unimpressed with her foolish acceptance speech and how she needlessly stepped on the Williams sisters. The applause in the background — equally belittling — cements my feelings.” - Shireen Ahmed for CBC Sports

5. She doesn’t speak for all Muslims, or all women

“I don’t speak for all Muslim women. I speak for myself. I am a story teller and when people trust me with their stories, I take that very seriously. Muslim women are not a monolith and there is more than enough room for different people to share different perspectives in their life experiences.” - Shireen Ahmed

6. While also countering ridiculous hijab bans

“The belief by some in France that hijabs compromise the equal status of players and connect to extremism is nonsensical. As a Muslim woman who has played soccer for more than 40 years, I can assure you that many players, fans, coaches and officials who love the beautiful game just happen to be Muslim.” - Shireen Ahmed for CBC Sports

7. Shireen, like many other awesome feminists, is a delightful hand talker

8. Shireen is ready to Burn it All Down

This ‘Best of 2021 - Part One’ episode of the Burn it All Down podcast is a great place to start listening!

9. Shireen knows sports…

As an athlete. As a journalist. As a fan. As an official. And as a volleyball mama…

Finally… We’re hoping that Tara-cat pops in for our instagram live chat…

May is Sexual Violence Prevention Month

May is also Łąy Sranän - Dog month!

Hän Interpretation by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Heritage Department

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