Just when you think Jaden couldn't get anyone weirder--he does. Jaden Smith, is now the new face of womenswear for Louis Vuitton. Jaden has been wearing women's clothing for quite some time in hopes to "redefine masculinity" but who said that's what society needs? But anyway, the real problem is that, he stated previously that he wanted to change society's attitudes toward male masculinity. But changing men's attire won't improve the chaos that stems from masculinity. The real issue lies in the connection between masculinity and hyper-aggressive behavior, slut-shaming, and rape. Jaden wearing the clothes of a woman, is not benefiting the problems in the world. He is only going to influence young boys to wear dresses which is of little benefit unless he is trying to appeal to the LBGT community--but it will never help women. Whether Jaden is gay, a cross-dresser doesn't matter, but what does matter is that he is doing this in hopes of reshaping the mind of society for the better. What I have noticed is that a lot of gay men, cross dressers or not take part in misogyny. Many of them, will call a woman out her name, call her a slut and even hit her. We love to think that a man in a dress is softened, but they are not. So until Jaden is fighting against rape, and domestic abuse he can save his rhetoric about attempting to "redefine masculinity" for later, because none of this will improve our society. With all the problems being brought to light in the news, we need to face the real issues not try to solve them with frilly dresses. A lot of men think it's okay to make women their victims. Too many men find gratification in their display of male dominance. This is exhibited in their casual attitudes and ability to rape a defenseless woman and then blame her attire for his transgressions. Since masculinity is rooted in taking what is yours and seeing a woman as property, a man feels he can exert his sexual urge and thirst for power by forcing himself on a woman. Many men still abide by this idea that their most primal instinct is to knock a woman over her head and drag her back into his cave to have his way with her. If male masculinity isn't causing damage sexually, it is doing harm through physical abuse. Male masculinity allows a man to hit a woman when he gets mad or feels embarrassed. Since the male ego is so fragile due to the fact, a man loses his respect if he walks away from confrontation. So when a man has a girlfriend nagging him about his affairs or bringing up his lack of financial support, he feels he has the right to slap her. A man may not exhibit any physical violence but may display his insecurities and desire to conquer women with his words. I'm well versed in the vulgarity that comes out of a man's mouth when he is rejected on the street. They can go from calling a woman beautiful to calling her a b-word. Some cat-callers had such low self-esteem because of their need to regain their ego's that they resorted to killing women after they were turned down. Even strange women are property in some men's eyes. Masculinity tells a man he can do what he wants and never question himself. He wears his heart in his fist and his emotions lay unchecked. So Jaden needs to leave his reshaping the world speech for another occasion. Let's call it what it is cross dressing. When Jaden stands up and starts a campaign against domestic abuse then he can say he is reshaping masculinity. When he starts telling men to get anger management to treat their violent outburst, he can have my blessing. Indeed, masculinity needs to be redefined but not through clothes but rather the need to change male attitudes. Many find it too easy to hurt women in any form. The idea that masculinity involves enhancing the male ego by any means necessary and using their muscles on women to show how strong they are needs to go away. We also need to stop victim blaming teens and women who report rape. A man needs to learn his power does not lie between his legs. Sleeping with a large number of women does not make someone a man. So whether a man is wearing a dress or suit, he still needs to understand that a woman has a right to her body and to be respected.
Deborah
1/5/2016 12:35:26 pm
Well articulated. Comments are closed.
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AuthorMy name is Kiara and writing is the way I express myself. Archives
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