Patriarchy, Patriarchy (The Beautiful Game?)
You know what the problem with patriarchy is? It’s kinda masculiney and toxcity. However what is toxic masculinity?
1st Man: Whatever it is, it don’t exist.
2nd Man: Why doesn’t it?
1st Man [clenching fist]: What did you just say?
2nd Man: Er….Nothing….
“Toxic masculinity refers to the notion that some people’s idea of “manliness” perpetuates domination, homophobia, and aggression. Toxic masculinity involves cultural pressures for men to behave in a certain way. And it’s likely this affects all boys and men in some fashion.” — verywellmind.com
What is denial? A river in Egypt.
A person, who wasn’t at all wise once said, “If you pretend long enough that something don’t exist it won’t exist long enough to need pretending for.”
How do you defend the indefensible? How do you explain away the obvious? Apparently it’s very easy.
Yesterday, in the space of 60 seconds during Manchester United’s FA Cup clash with Fulham, the Fulham manager Marco Silva and players Willian and Aleksandr Mitrovic were red carded. Silva was handed a red for throwing a water bottle, Willian was handed a red for handball (pun intended) and Mitrovic was handed a red for shoving the Referee’s left arm.
Coincidentally, both teams play in the Premier League, which is the highest level of the men’s English football league system, and widely considered the best league in Europe, presumably by a bunch of men who coincidentally are football fans and English.
Anyway, the Question: Why were yesterday’s incidents, involving Silva and Mitrovic, not examples of toxic masculinity?
The answers:
(A). Nationality
All those involved were foreign. So it’s nothing to do with nothing.
(B). Competence
Somebody somewhere apparently said that a lot of refs wear contact lenses cos of bad eyesight. I’m just saying.
(C). Feminism
Fems tell men to express their emotions, but when they do they get slagged.
(D). Bias
Somebody somewhere apparently said that the ref were from Manchester. I’m just saying.
(E). Discussion
Since when, is robust debate, a criminal crime?
(F). Context
Some might call these sort of incidents simply handbags at dawn. Speaks volumes.
Epilogue
1st Person: What’s your favourite football game of all time?
Me: Whataboutery.
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