To the Free Women of the Nation
We’re with you 100%. Just help us understand this one thing…
I know I speak for millions of men when I say we’re ready to stand with you. The moral injustice and abject misogyny displayed during the presidential election and its aftermath were sickening, to say the least. But those villains have been met with a thorough and systematic rebuttal that cannot be ignored, and in this, we seek to share and hopefully augment your strength and hope. We marched with you on January 21st, and again on March 8th. We will continue to do so until the field has truly been leveled. We will strive for a society in which all humans are awarded equal value in the professional landscape, in sports, in politics, and in life. We will insist that the conventional notions of masculinity and femininity are set aside — and their true natures revealed, for they are both valuable intrinsic qualities that should be espoused by all individuals across the gender spectrum. We do it so our daughters may never be made to face the adversity endured by our sisters and mothers. We do it so our sons may grow up in an environment devoid of “locker room talk” — that they may understand masculinity is, in no way, synonymous with misogyny, and feminism is a virtue to which they can and should aspire.
Most importantly, we will pursue a culture in which women are permitted to live their lives according to their own values — a society in which they are free to make the decisions that most benefit their well-being. We seek a culture in which women are never again subjected to the humiliating and materialistic scrutiny that pits them against their peers and rates their appearance by awarding either merit or scorn — or worse yet, a value on a scale of one to ten.
We won’t back down if you won’t. But please help us understand exactly how, amid this rising tide of awareness, The Bachelor remains one of the most highly rated television programs among women in the United States. I just don’t get it.
Author’s Note: This story is essentially the long-winded version of the rant I’m tempted to lob at my Significant Other every Monday night. But I know enough to keep my mouth shut, so I’ve posted it here to get it out of my system. I know I’m sure to catch hell — so I invite anyone feeling compelled to put me in my place to have at it. That said, if you enjoyed the piece, it would mean the world to my self esteem if you clicked the little 💚below.
Thanks for sticking around! I enjoy writing about sports, aging, parenting, relationships, and a whole host of other fun things men face as they approach midlife. Check out my other stories on Medium, and feel free to join me at my blog, In Uncharted Waters.
