"Take it like a MAN!"

I routinely work out each week.  About a month ago, while working out I attempted to lift more weight. It is always good to increase your weight if you want to build more muscle, endurance, and strength.  While trying to lift some heavier weight a guy who was next to me said, “Stop bit@#-ing and take it like man.” At first I laughed and attempted to put up the weight. I only managed to lift two reps but I was proud of myself after the same guy who had said that to me, congratulated me for putting the weight with a nod. Later, while driving home I started to analyze what was said to me and what exactly that meant. How would a man take it and in fact, what does my gender have to do with the way I lift weights? Jackson Katz’s video does a wonderful job in describing the hyper masculinity found in contemporary Western culture. He defines this image that is portrayed by popular media. Later in his talk he discusses how masculinity is this performed act or attitude that is taught to young men across the nation. He mentions a film where a Native American male Indian is informing his friend how to be a true Native American Indian male. The film clearly states, “You have to look mean otherwise people won’t respect you.” These guidelines that are given to males especially those of the minority are there for them to believe they need to adopt this hyper masculine attributes or they won’t be respected by “whites.”

While listening to Jackson Katz it was interesting to see his juxtaposition on how women are portrayed in media. He illustrated the Lorena Bobbit case where the media intoxicated the broadcasting of the brutal mutilation of her husband. Yet only briefly covering how John Bobbitt had raped her prior to her actions. The focus clearly was on the mutilation of the masculinity. He also discusses media never draws out such elaborate portrayals about women who are mutilated even though it happens more often than men.

Lastly, one of the most significant parts of the entire Jackson Katz talk earlier when he discusses and shows the classic clip of the all mighty and powerful Wizard of Oz being exposed from behind his curtain. It clearly depicted this male that was hiding behind a mask of masculinity. This truly resonated with me because the same male that had told me to “take it like a man” was later found crying in the X-Sport parking lot. While walking to my car, I could hear someone yelling and crying in a conversation. I saw the same gym guy on the phone pleading with someone not to break-up with him and that she was all he had. In fact, a few times he attempted to yell at her and using profanity, say things like “Bull-$#!t you never cared about me!” After what seemed to be exhausting all his failed attempts to keep her, he hung up the phone and laid his head up against his car. It was then that I stopped listening and walked across him without looking to my car that was one car lane away from him. As I walked passed him I couldn’t help but think to myself, I guess that’s how you take it like a man. Be yourself!