#JoinTheConversation

#ToxicMasculinity

I was surprised hearing that Gillette was getting any type of blowback for their newest vid ad.  The short film shows examples of bullying, harassment, mansplaining, and excuses like "boys will be boys."  The description on the official YouTube says, " Bullying. Harassment. Is this the best a man can get? It's only by challenging ourselves to do more, that we can get closer to our best. To say the right thing, to act the right way." (Gillette, 2019) It was well done and I thought really encouraging.

Then, I remembered... this is the internet.  Where #MGTOW is a thing.  The response mostly by right-wing conservative media was immediate.  Randos on the internet said, "Why don't you stick to creating razors instead of alienating your market." Others say, "What you don't think that there is Feminine Toxicity?" 

Tomi Lahren, a doll for Fox News, tweeted the following gem, "The only people applauding @Gillette are social justice warriors who believe the solution to all the world's problems is for men to act less like men and more like women. Well here's a newsflash- women are also capable of bullying each other, harassing each other AND men! There are sick men who do sick things because they think in their pants not their brains-agree. BUT playing with dolls, wearing makeup, gender-neutral pronouns, or an overdramatic ad will do ZERO to correct sick men who do sick things!" (Lahren, 2019). Completely missing the point as always.

I found Conservative Tribune article interesting about a video response by Egard Watch. They applauded the watch company's video rebuttal and applauded its use of statistics "not shown by mainstream media." The watch company's CEO, Ilan Srulovicz stated: "...he felt compelled to make his own video in order to uplift men and champion the beauty of real masculinity" (Baldwin, 2019). Srulovicz goes on to state that he hopes, "...that the video gets to a point where it draws enough attention that larger companies start realizing there is a market in promoting positive messages for men" (Baldwin, 2019).  I agree. I think we should be encouraging each other to be positive, respectful, and protecting those who don't have a voice... like the bullied people in the #gillette commercial.

The clap back was also immediate.  General posts on FB and twitter saying, "If you were offended, then this ad is probably about you." OR "Who you identify with, the bully or the bullied, will say more about you then Gillette.  

The Independent pulled some great examples that I really wanted to feature from twitter. Both Williams and DeAnn were tweeting in response to Tomi Lahren's twitter posts:

"That's absolutely not what their ad is about. It's about identifying toxic masculinity (which is different from healthy masculinity), and people encouraging others not to be dicks, harass women, or sexually assault them. Pay attention, you may learn something, Tomu" (Williams, 2019).

"Yes, you prove that women are also capable of bullying each other on a regular basis. Thanks for clarifying." (DeAnn, 2019) 

Obviously, the marketing worked.  Their video is now viral.  The conversation they wanted is being had on whether or not there is a thing called "toxic masculinity" and what men should do in as a response to #metoo.  Which is a good thing.  We should be talking about the times we as a society get it wrong.  We should also be talking about the time we get things right! 

No one is perfect.  There isn't a single group of people that will always be correct.  We can and should improve ourselves.  Our society is evolving.  We are in a state of flux and the Overton window is constantly moving.  As the conversation pendulum swings, hopefully, we will land somewhere in the middle where all people can find respect.  

We should not support bullies or have them as our figurehead for our country.  

We should support people, regardless of gender, who will do what is best for the people, not just the corporations, lobbyists, and ultra-wealthy.  

We should be looking for ways to lift each other up, not having knee-jerk reactions to "WhatAboutism."

 We should be encouraging each other.  Let's not get into the habit of trying to turn everyone else into an "other." 

We are all human and should learn to have a civil discourse.

Tomorrow is MLK's Birthday.  To celebrate, let's talk about our dream for social utopia. What does it look like? How do people interact with each other?  How do people solve their grievances there? 

Commercial #ToxicMasculinity #Gillette #thebestmencanbe #metoo  

Baldwin, K. (2019), Watch Company Releases the Most Brilliant Rebuttal to Gillette Commercial." The Western Journal Conservative Tribune. Retrieved from: https://www.westernjournal.com/ct/watch-company-releases-brilliant-rebuttal-gillette-commercial/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=westernjournalism&utm_content=2019-01-18&utm_campaign=manualpost&fbclid=IwAR20noO_AhS3Woyze-qSKw68aN59HCGj0yDhAqJdwtTB5FauQjt02ClOe1g

DeAnn @Miss_Bugs_Nana(2019). Twitter

Evans, G (2019) "Tomi Lahren tried to criticise sic the new Gillette advert about toxic masculinity, but it seriously backfired" indy100. Independent. Retrieved from https://www.indy100.com/article/tomi-lahren-gillette-advert-men-women-bullying-twitter-8732631

Gillette. (2019) Video."We Believe: The Best Men Can Be." Youtube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koPmuEyP3a0

 Lahren, T @TomiLahren (2019). Twitter   

Williams, M @Mike_P_Williams (2019). Twitter