Colonialism and Gender; Discussion Provocation #3

When analyzing the gender binary in colonial and national narratives it displays misplacement of womens’ rights as well as disablement of men and their free expression. To be a man or woman in the context of colonialism is in terms of what we are currently living in today. In essence, this issue of women and men sticking to their institutionalized ways of living is still occurring. In colonial terms, women have been housewives, as the men would go and fight and provide for the family. This narrative may not be that accurate presently, but some aspects of it are. Many women today are able to work in jobs that men do, but the payment for their work is unbalanced. Another example is the inequality for women in professional sports. Many women today are better athletes than a lot of males but are continuously getting paid ⅓ of their fellow males’ salary. This is the situation in many countries and fields of work around the world. While some people still believe that women do not deserve rights, many countries haven’t allowed women to have equal rights to men. Another, smaller example of this is the example listed in the class textbook, Is Everyone Really Equal? Second Edition (2017). On page 39, there is an example listed explaining how men can show their underarm hair, while women cannot since it is painted as off-putting or disgusting. This is a clear example that colonial narratives still exist today. It is displayed everywhere that women must hold up to their beauty expectations and if they don’t, then they are not a true woman. This is why many women are trying to promote body positivity and are trying to express themselves in the ways they want to. This is a concern, may seem like a daunting task to rewrite, but through voicing concerns and providing awareness to the issue, the norm that has been around for years upon years can be undone. While sharing a post on your Instagram story highlighting countless gender issues is thoughtful, it is not enough. To act when people are saying things that are sexist or binary to a specific group is needed. When I hear someone say something that is racist or homophobic I make an effort to speak up, which is what is needed for these ideas towards, as well. 

Today we can see that many people are upset when men start to explore out of their set limitations. For example; Harry Styles exploring himself by wearing clothes he enjoys. After pictures of Harry Styles wearing a dress were publicly displayed I recall many men I know posting their opinions on social media, saying dresses should only be worn by women. This is a clear example that the normative colonialism has put in place for men is still occurring today. Colonialism has painted a picture of men being tough, not allowing their true emotions to be shown, or their likes and dislikes to be displayed. This has enabled a toxic circle of men who are afraid to show emotions, and when they see another man showing their true feelings, they start to abuse them, by calling them an abundance of terrible names. This has created a situation of toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity is something that can be addressed and sorted out. By enabling toxic masculinity, it provides other men with the incentive to act in ways that have similarities to how men may have acted during colonialism. What can be done to stop toxic masculinity? This is something that I have asked myself when I hear rude comments, or see posts on social media. I have realized the only way to stop toxic masculinity is to educate those on the matter. By un-doing their previous thoughts on men and themselves, they can then be able to express themselves in ways that want to. Instead of fitting in the mould of colonialism and the toxic masculinity produced by history, the only true way to un-do gender and these ideas is to break out of the mould.

Refrences;

Is Everyone Really Equal? Second Edition: Culture and socialization (pp. 39). Teachers College Press.