After actress Meryl Streep mocked a huge swath of Americans for being fans of football and MMA, comedian Norm MacDonald took umbrage, destroying her in one tweet:
Streep had prompted MacDonald’s outrage by speaking thus, after insinuating Donald Trump does not like foreigners and listing numerous Golden Globe nominated actors who hailed from various places: “So Hollywood is crawling with outsiders and foreigners. And if we kick them all out you’ll have nothing to watch but football and mixed martial arts, which are not the arts.”
According to Merriam-Webster, “art” is defined as 1. Skill acquired by experience, study, or observation; 2. A branch of learning; one of the humanities, and 3. The conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects.
One would think that the first definition one would include myriad athletes who have spent countless hours practicing to ready themselves for competition; would Streep deny that there was great beauty in the gymnastic routines exhibited by Olympian gymnasts? How would that differ from a wide receiver floating through the air and reaching out with a single hand to snare a football hurled with astonishing force. Has she ever tried that one?
As far as definition number three, one should ask Ms. Streep to view a highlight reel of the moves used by running backs from the time of Red Grange who have eluded their opponents with moves they likely practiced long before the confrontation.
And here’s another little clue for Ms. Streep; some athletes have used what she would call artistic disciplines to help them prepare for their athletic exploits. As far back as the World War II era, Walt Davis, who was born in 1931 and stricken at age nine with polio, leaving him unable to walk for three years, studied ballet in order to strengthen his legs. He later won the Olympic gold medal in the high jump in 1952.
Here’s a video of Davis doing the high jump at the Helsinki Games in 1952:
So when Streep condescends to those who appreciate the artistry of athletes, maybe she should get off her high horse and try to understand she’s not the only one who worked to perfect their art.