Good. This is exactly what I want to show. I want to show, that no matter how far we've come from those days when masculinity was regarded as a symbol and basic definition of modern society, we still have a long way to go. Everything still (or at least most of the time) revolves around the pnis, or more correctly, around what the pen/s represents.
As an example, I will share an event that occurred couple of days ago in our university.
A poster of "Society of Feminists" was put up on the common room wall announcing the society's weekly meetings and inviting people to join their discussion. Soon, someone got a funny idea of drawing a ***** on it. I am emphasizing the word funny, because "c'mon guys, that's what it was!". At least according to many facebookers who commented the poster after it spread on the social media.Often there are two ways to react, when these kinds of things happen:
1. You shut up and let it go.
2. You won't shut up and let it go.
The latter happened, and at some point somewhat reasonable discussion changed into mean backlash. "This just shows that feminists are uptight ninnies, who get provoked by a p#n#s", someone said. "Don't come here to comment on things, when you don't know what you are talking about", others responded. "Why are these people in our school?", "Am I not allowed to have a differning opinion?", "It is just a P___S!".
Since halfway of the eighteenth century, the ideal of modern masculinity has held onto an image of a man with will power, honour and courage. This is how it is to be a MAN, this is how you "get some balls", this is how you won't become an "uptight ninny". Even though this normative sterotype has somewhat changed the past decades, the image still prevails.
The drama with the poster proves it. The norm is so deeply rooted in our daily lives, that many think it is okay, or actually recommended, to shut up and let it go. On the other hand, when you feel the need not to shut up, it is easy to get provoked and become offensive in the defence.
And this is what strikes me the most. If even in universities – where people are supposed to be "educated"– it seems impossible to have a constructive discussion, how can our societies develop?
It is easy to make jokes when you don't understand how it feels to be the one who's made fun of. It is also easy to laugh if you don't feel offended. But no matter what is the case, wouldn't it be wise to think before you decide not to shut up – or draw a penis on someone's poster?
