Project Overview
American as many of us know it is full of a set of diverese ideologies and belif systems; they are always changing and always constructing the way for a different tomorrow. In this project we throughly examined and explored what determines ones political and ideological while also exploring out own. We did this though learning about doublespeek and reading vigorus pieces of work about the human ideology. We were able to recognize that the United States has and always will be a divided nation, because of this us sutdents focused out main project around common controversies in todays era. Basing much of our wor around essential questions such as: What do I believe about America, and how my ideologies been changed by past experiences and my value system? What is the relationship between ideology and rhetoric? After both discussing these questions and questions alike, we began our search for a topic to create an essay about. During this project students had to write and reaserch both sides of the issue and discuss out overall connection with it and state our views using both evidence and personal experience. The end result of this project was a deep refleion about how the process of "disecting" America's rhetoric and ideology changed us and how it might have even had an impact on out personal belifs; and how each of us would continue into the future after the deconstruction of America.
Controversy Essay
Haley Benjamin
Am Humanities
Jessica McCallum
Should The Use of Drugs and Performance Enhancers Be Allowed In Sports?
Part One
Citius, altius, fortius. Swifter, higher, stronger. This Olympic motto is based on the Greek ideals of discipline, dedication, sweat and fair play. Today it has a shadowy side. The issue of the use of drugs and performance enhancers in sports has been a controversy for as long as there has been professional competition. This particular topic strikes an interest to me because as an athlete I generally hear a lot of cases of all types of athletes abusing performance enhancing drugs. Many athletes have gotten away with using different drugs, and the advancement of testing at certain sporting events has become common to prevent this form of (in my opinion) cheating. While doing a sport is the enjoyment of competition and the drive to improve, some might argue that there is no difference between increasing skill by training and using drugs as a means to get better, and that performance enhancers are the use of personal effort rather than outside help. However, to push back on this opinion fairness should be valued the most when it comes to sports of any kind. And in my view the use of drugs to enhance performance is the worst way you can violate that fairness.
More stories of doping have come up both during and after the recent Olympic games in Rio, and many professional athletes have been under suspicion for using drugs. One of the most controversial stories dealt with the Russian swimmer, Yulia Efimova. Before the games, she had previously served a 16 month suspension due to being caught doping using a drug caused meldonium; along with seven other Russian athletes. I believe that the underlying issue as to exactly why athletes use drugs is not to necessarily level out the competition, they do it in order to get ahead. But, if we were to make something like doping “ok” then the issue would further spiral out of control. For example, instead of taking say, 10 cc’s of a drug, an athlete could take 20 cc’s or 40. It is a vicious cycle that only gets bigger and bigger as the athlete continuously drives for more and more.
In my own personal experience as an athlete, I have dealt with being accused of using performance enhancing drugs. Despite the fact that these accusations made it no farther than out the locker room doors, I understand now how crucial an issue like this is. Because once the false assumptions were made, I felt as if I had not only cheated myself out of competition and what was true to me; but I felt as if I had cheated my teammates as well. Something like this that is continually making a larger impact in sports as the years go on can not be ignored any longer. The longer it stays in the dark, the worse it will become.
Part Two
Inherently, and in the most basic forms, the science and the purpose behind the drugs used is to speed up the recovery time in the athlete. So, speeding up the recovery makes it easier to build muscle creating a “stronger” performer. The end game will be an activity that is increasingly violent, extreme, and meaningless, practiced by a class of chemical and or genetic mutant gladiators. The use of performance-enhancing drugs is not accidental; it is planned and deliberate with the sole objective of getting an unfair advantage.
Certain enhancers, like steroids and other forms of doping, have a negative effect on long-term health. Users of these enhancers are only improving their short-term rewards from athletic competition. This is the main rationale for trying to ban steroids and other forms of doping from athletic competitions. The physical effect that these harmful drugs will have on athletes are dangerous and it hurts the competition as a whole. Performance enhancing drugs (PED) come in various forms, including pills, injections or creams. Athletes often use the drugs for short periods, then stop days or weeks before they get tested, to allow the drugs to leave their system. In the short term, hormones or steroids can strengthen muscles, bones and tendons. But, in the long term, PEDs can cause impotence, worsening acne, balding and “steroid rage.” PEDs can also stunt growth in adolescents. More serious effects include heart and liver damage, and an increased risk of blood clots. Based on a recent Livestrong article, it states that drugs that contain diuretics--substances that flush fluid from the body-- that may cause muscle cramping, exhaustion, dizziness and dehydration during or between athletic activities; and drugs containing stimulants, such as ephedrine and caffeine, may cause nervousness and sleep problems and steroid use may trigger depression.
Another crucial detail to add is that one athlete using these dangerous drugs could negatively influence another athlete to do the same in order to “catch up” with their competitors. As reported by Sports Illustrated, half of all recently surveyed Olympic athletes admitted that they would be willing to take a drug, even if it would kill them eventually; as long as it meant that they would win… This hazardous “win at any cost” mentality causing many athletes to feel almost forced into taking these drugs to intensify their performance. Anti-doping programs seek to preserve what is intrinsically valuable about sport. This intrinsic value is often referred to as 'the spirit of sport'; it is the essence of Olympism; it is how we play true. The spirit of sport is the celebration of the human spirit, body and mind. The spirit of sport might also be characterized by the following values: Ethics, fair play and honesty, health excellence in performance, dedication and commitment, and courage. It is not only hurtful to the performers who use them but to the game and the priceless competition as a whole.
Part Three
On the opposing side of this controversy, many might argue that performance enhancing drugs should be legalized in order to add more competition to the world of sports; as well as to let athletes from all over reach their full potential.
A Forbes article suggests that legalizing such drugs would in fact create a “more even playing field.” The article goes on to state that “Not only would the playing field suddenly be even for all players, it would be at a higher level. A huge part of watching sports is witnessing the very peak of human athletic ability, and legalizing performance enhancing drugs would help athletes climb even higher;” and many sports fans would be entertained day after day. Another critical point is, that as long as the participants are grown adults, making informed choices about the possible consequences, there should be no restriction on what sportsmen and women can do.
When looking at the possibilities and future outcome of legalizing PEDs it is very important to note that athletes will always find a way to push past the physical line of what is OK and what is not. In other words, athletes will still try to cheat wherever the line is drawn, but by focusing on legalizing PEDs we will have a chance to alter the balance so the rules we do have are enforceable, and it is rational not to cheat. The biggest reason why performance enhancers are banned from the market is because they have long term effects on the body; and while it is true that those drugs can have potential side effects, they only occur when mishandled or taken improperly. However, when looking at the issue in a different light, it is easy to see that performance enhancers have many benefits. The current ban for using these substances prevents athletes from realizing those benefits, worse, it restricts them from accessing the help and supervision they need. Without proper regulation, athletes will never know exactly how these substances work and affect their bodies. Equally important, the government is wasting time and money in attempt to combat the war against PEDs. The average cost to test one athlete is 200 dollars and if we even begin to consider the amount of athletes in the U.S and how many tests an athlete undergoes, it is clear that these tests are a useless manner to catch performers in the act; and we are wasting valuable resources on the fact that only eight out of every 11,000 athletes test positive.
Infact, Allison Lincolln, the Founder of the Centre for the Study of Sport in Society at Warwick University made a profound statement saying the following: “In America's major league sports, particularly football and baseball, the widespread perception of drug use does not seem to have had a negative impact on audience interest.” With this in mind it is clear that legalizing PEDs would be a major improvement to the excitement and fascination of sports. Furthermore, legalizing enhancers could potentially bring the crime rates down, leaving less space for criminals in the doping market. So, legalizing these drugs would make it safer for coaches and athletes to obtain PEDs from licensed doctors. An equally important argument made is that that World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) does not include the terms ‘fair play’ and ‘character’ as a part of what it defines as what it means to be ethical in sports. Instead, the WADA include ‘courage’ and ‘dedication.’ That being said, it takes more courage and dedication to alter your genes than to (for example) carb load on a potato the night before. Legalizing and putting strict regulations on performance enhancing drugs adds a new level of excitement not only for the players but for the audience as well. As the world of sports continues to get more and more unpredictable place, but if we choose to legalize enhancing medicine that would only benefit the athlete, we are benefiting the spirit of competition as well.
Part Five Reflection
After doing several weeks of research on the topic of whether there should be a legalization of performance enhancing drugs, I feel that I have seen almost every aspect of the issue; I viewed many opinions I disagree with and some I fully support.
Over the course of the project I was surprised that some of my views changed. At the beginning of my research I was a firm believer that the idea of legalizing performance enhancers violated the true character of sport and what it means to have sportsmanship as well as fair competition. However, as I dove deeper into my research I discovered that the opposite side valued more authentic ideas than I had once thought. Those arguing for the other side valued entertaining competition and the success of athletes of all kinds, as my own side did. In addition, in one particular article I read for the opposing side highly supported the strict regulation of any legalized enhancing drugs. his was the opposite to what I had first believed about the opposing side. I was under the false notion that they cared very little about the overall health of any athlete, and the only goal was to become stronger and push the physical limits. In all truth I found myself in a negative and closed mindset at times. But, after many weeks of reading and researching I found that a majority of my ‘opponents’ have the best intentions for anyone seeking to enhance themselves, and they were firm believers that it is entirely up to the athlete (as a mature adult) to make the decisions for themselves on how they want the legalization of sports drugs to impact their personal performance.
After thorough examination, I feel that I now have a better understanding of the reality of this issue. In other words, I know that whatever the end result of this issue is, and if performance enhancing drugs become legalized or not; people will always find a way to push past the limits of the rules. The beauty of choice is what makes issues like these so complicated and in my opinion, and more interesting to explore. I believe that the opportunity to write an essay is an opening for a healthy argument, and to explore the possibilities of each side of an issue.
Works Cited
Anderson, Dave. "10 Reasons Performance Enhancing Drugs Should Be Legal." Top 10 Lists | ListLand.com. N.p., 20 Jan. 2015. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
"Crossing the Line: Athletes Risk Their Health When Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs." NIDA for Teens. NIDA Blog Team, 11 Dec. 2014. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
"Drug Use in Sports - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
Mangan, Tricia. "Effects of Performance Enhancing Drugs." LIVESTRONG.COM.
24 Mar. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
"Performance-Enhancing Drugs Can Have Severe Long-Term Impact on Health: Expert - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids." Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. N.p., 7 Aug. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
Smith, Chris. "Why It's Time To Legalize Steroids In Professional Sports." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 24 Aug. 2012. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
User, Super. "Home." Drugs in Sport | Training & Fitness. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
American as many of us know it is full of a set of diverese ideologies and belif systems; they are always changing and always constructing the way for a different tomorrow. In this project we throughly examined and explored what determines ones political and ideological while also exploring out own. We did this though learning about doublespeek and reading vigorus pieces of work about the human ideology. We were able to recognize that the United States has and always will be a divided nation, because of this us sutdents focused out main project around common controversies in todays era. Basing much of our wor around essential questions such as: What do I believe about America, and how my ideologies been changed by past experiences and my value system? What is the relationship between ideology and rhetoric? After both discussing these questions and questions alike, we began our search for a topic to create an essay about. During this project students had to write and reaserch both sides of the issue and discuss out overall connection with it and state our views using both evidence and personal experience. The end result of this project was a deep refleion about how the process of "disecting" America's rhetoric and ideology changed us and how it might have even had an impact on out personal belifs; and how each of us would continue into the future after the deconstruction of America.
Controversy Essay
Haley Benjamin
Am Humanities
Jessica McCallum
Should The Use of Drugs and Performance Enhancers Be Allowed In Sports?
Part One
Citius, altius, fortius. Swifter, higher, stronger. This Olympic motto is based on the Greek ideals of discipline, dedication, sweat and fair play. Today it has a shadowy side. The issue of the use of drugs and performance enhancers in sports has been a controversy for as long as there has been professional competition. This particular topic strikes an interest to me because as an athlete I generally hear a lot of cases of all types of athletes abusing performance enhancing drugs. Many athletes have gotten away with using different drugs, and the advancement of testing at certain sporting events has become common to prevent this form of (in my opinion) cheating. While doing a sport is the enjoyment of competition and the drive to improve, some might argue that there is no difference between increasing skill by training and using drugs as a means to get better, and that performance enhancers are the use of personal effort rather than outside help. However, to push back on this opinion fairness should be valued the most when it comes to sports of any kind. And in my view the use of drugs to enhance performance is the worst way you can violate that fairness.
More stories of doping have come up both during and after the recent Olympic games in Rio, and many professional athletes have been under suspicion for using drugs. One of the most controversial stories dealt with the Russian swimmer, Yulia Efimova. Before the games, she had previously served a 16 month suspension due to being caught doping using a drug caused meldonium; along with seven other Russian athletes. I believe that the underlying issue as to exactly why athletes use drugs is not to necessarily level out the competition, they do it in order to get ahead. But, if we were to make something like doping “ok” then the issue would further spiral out of control. For example, instead of taking say, 10 cc’s of a drug, an athlete could take 20 cc’s or 40. It is a vicious cycle that only gets bigger and bigger as the athlete continuously drives for more and more.
In my own personal experience as an athlete, I have dealt with being accused of using performance enhancing drugs. Despite the fact that these accusations made it no farther than out the locker room doors, I understand now how crucial an issue like this is. Because once the false assumptions were made, I felt as if I had not only cheated myself out of competition and what was true to me; but I felt as if I had cheated my teammates as well. Something like this that is continually making a larger impact in sports as the years go on can not be ignored any longer. The longer it stays in the dark, the worse it will become.
Part Two
Inherently, and in the most basic forms, the science and the purpose behind the drugs used is to speed up the recovery time in the athlete. So, speeding up the recovery makes it easier to build muscle creating a “stronger” performer. The end game will be an activity that is increasingly violent, extreme, and meaningless, practiced by a class of chemical and or genetic mutant gladiators. The use of performance-enhancing drugs is not accidental; it is planned and deliberate with the sole objective of getting an unfair advantage.
Certain enhancers, like steroids and other forms of doping, have a negative effect on long-term health. Users of these enhancers are only improving their short-term rewards from athletic competition. This is the main rationale for trying to ban steroids and other forms of doping from athletic competitions. The physical effect that these harmful drugs will have on athletes are dangerous and it hurts the competition as a whole. Performance enhancing drugs (PED) come in various forms, including pills, injections or creams. Athletes often use the drugs for short periods, then stop days or weeks before they get tested, to allow the drugs to leave their system. In the short term, hormones or steroids can strengthen muscles, bones and tendons. But, in the long term, PEDs can cause impotence, worsening acne, balding and “steroid rage.” PEDs can also stunt growth in adolescents. More serious effects include heart and liver damage, and an increased risk of blood clots. Based on a recent Livestrong article, it states that drugs that contain diuretics--substances that flush fluid from the body-- that may cause muscle cramping, exhaustion, dizziness and dehydration during or between athletic activities; and drugs containing stimulants, such as ephedrine and caffeine, may cause nervousness and sleep problems and steroid use may trigger depression.
Another crucial detail to add is that one athlete using these dangerous drugs could negatively influence another athlete to do the same in order to “catch up” with their competitors. As reported by Sports Illustrated, half of all recently surveyed Olympic athletes admitted that they would be willing to take a drug, even if it would kill them eventually; as long as it meant that they would win… This hazardous “win at any cost” mentality causing many athletes to feel almost forced into taking these drugs to intensify their performance. Anti-doping programs seek to preserve what is intrinsically valuable about sport. This intrinsic value is often referred to as 'the spirit of sport'; it is the essence of Olympism; it is how we play true. The spirit of sport is the celebration of the human spirit, body and mind. The spirit of sport might also be characterized by the following values: Ethics, fair play and honesty, health excellence in performance, dedication and commitment, and courage. It is not only hurtful to the performers who use them but to the game and the priceless competition as a whole.
Part Three
On the opposing side of this controversy, many might argue that performance enhancing drugs should be legalized in order to add more competition to the world of sports; as well as to let athletes from all over reach their full potential.
A Forbes article suggests that legalizing such drugs would in fact create a “more even playing field.” The article goes on to state that “Not only would the playing field suddenly be even for all players, it would be at a higher level. A huge part of watching sports is witnessing the very peak of human athletic ability, and legalizing performance enhancing drugs would help athletes climb even higher;” and many sports fans would be entertained day after day. Another critical point is, that as long as the participants are grown adults, making informed choices about the possible consequences, there should be no restriction on what sportsmen and women can do.
When looking at the possibilities and future outcome of legalizing PEDs it is very important to note that athletes will always find a way to push past the physical line of what is OK and what is not. In other words, athletes will still try to cheat wherever the line is drawn, but by focusing on legalizing PEDs we will have a chance to alter the balance so the rules we do have are enforceable, and it is rational not to cheat. The biggest reason why performance enhancers are banned from the market is because they have long term effects on the body; and while it is true that those drugs can have potential side effects, they only occur when mishandled or taken improperly. However, when looking at the issue in a different light, it is easy to see that performance enhancers have many benefits. The current ban for using these substances prevents athletes from realizing those benefits, worse, it restricts them from accessing the help and supervision they need. Without proper regulation, athletes will never know exactly how these substances work and affect their bodies. Equally important, the government is wasting time and money in attempt to combat the war against PEDs. The average cost to test one athlete is 200 dollars and if we even begin to consider the amount of athletes in the U.S and how many tests an athlete undergoes, it is clear that these tests are a useless manner to catch performers in the act; and we are wasting valuable resources on the fact that only eight out of every 11,000 athletes test positive.
Infact, Allison Lincolln, the Founder of the Centre for the Study of Sport in Society at Warwick University made a profound statement saying the following: “In America's major league sports, particularly football and baseball, the widespread perception of drug use does not seem to have had a negative impact on audience interest.” With this in mind it is clear that legalizing PEDs would be a major improvement to the excitement and fascination of sports. Furthermore, legalizing enhancers could potentially bring the crime rates down, leaving less space for criminals in the doping market. So, legalizing these drugs would make it safer for coaches and athletes to obtain PEDs from licensed doctors. An equally important argument made is that that World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) does not include the terms ‘fair play’ and ‘character’ as a part of what it defines as what it means to be ethical in sports. Instead, the WADA include ‘courage’ and ‘dedication.’ That being said, it takes more courage and dedication to alter your genes than to (for example) carb load on a potato the night before. Legalizing and putting strict regulations on performance enhancing drugs adds a new level of excitement not only for the players but for the audience as well. As the world of sports continues to get more and more unpredictable place, but if we choose to legalize enhancing medicine that would only benefit the athlete, we are benefiting the spirit of competition as well.
Part Five Reflection
After doing several weeks of research on the topic of whether there should be a legalization of performance enhancing drugs, I feel that I have seen almost every aspect of the issue; I viewed many opinions I disagree with and some I fully support.
Over the course of the project I was surprised that some of my views changed. At the beginning of my research I was a firm believer that the idea of legalizing performance enhancers violated the true character of sport and what it means to have sportsmanship as well as fair competition. However, as I dove deeper into my research I discovered that the opposite side valued more authentic ideas than I had once thought. Those arguing for the other side valued entertaining competition and the success of athletes of all kinds, as my own side did. In addition, in one particular article I read for the opposing side highly supported the strict regulation of any legalized enhancing drugs. his was the opposite to what I had first believed about the opposing side. I was under the false notion that they cared very little about the overall health of any athlete, and the only goal was to become stronger and push the physical limits. In all truth I found myself in a negative and closed mindset at times. But, after many weeks of reading and researching I found that a majority of my ‘opponents’ have the best intentions for anyone seeking to enhance themselves, and they were firm believers that it is entirely up to the athlete (as a mature adult) to make the decisions for themselves on how they want the legalization of sports drugs to impact their personal performance.
After thorough examination, I feel that I now have a better understanding of the reality of this issue. In other words, I know that whatever the end result of this issue is, and if performance enhancing drugs become legalized or not; people will always find a way to push past the limits of the rules. The beauty of choice is what makes issues like these so complicated and in my opinion, and more interesting to explore. I believe that the opportunity to write an essay is an opening for a healthy argument, and to explore the possibilities of each side of an issue.
Works Cited
Anderson, Dave. "10 Reasons Performance Enhancing Drugs Should Be Legal." Top 10 Lists | ListLand.com. N.p., 20 Jan. 2015. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
"Crossing the Line: Athletes Risk Their Health When Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs." NIDA for Teens. NIDA Blog Team, 11 Dec. 2014. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
"Drug Use in Sports - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
Mangan, Tricia. "Effects of Performance Enhancing Drugs." LIVESTRONG.COM.
24 Mar. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
"Performance-Enhancing Drugs Can Have Severe Long-Term Impact on Health: Expert - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids." Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. N.p., 7 Aug. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
Smith, Chris. "Why It's Time To Legalize Steroids In Professional Sports." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 24 Aug. 2012. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
User, Super. "Home." Drugs in Sport | Training & Fitness. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.