What is it to be a “real” man?

I just finished watching the videos “Killing Us Softly” by Jean Kilbourne, “Cultural Criticism” by bell hooks and “Though Guise” by Jackson Katz. I am so glad and thankful that I have the chance to learn a little bit of what each one of these people has to say. These three different people send us, media and popular culture consumers, the same message. They show us how influential media texts, within the popular culture context, are in shaping our perceptions, values, beliefs, and behavior.

bell hooks argues that in order to discuss race, gender, and class we need to discuss popular culture because that is where the pedagogy for these issues lies. In this post I want to discuss how our social constructions and understandings of men and women are shaped by media texts in pop culture. I want to focus mainly on how ideas of “real” men are constructed. I have noticed lately an increase of television shows that depict this idea of “real” men. They are usually shows that fall within the historical genre. These shows portray men as brave warriors. To name a few shows that I have watched are “Spartacus”, “Game of Thrones”, and “Rome”. In all of the shows, “real” men are represented as physical, strong, independent, and respected. Of course there are issues with Spartacus, who is extremely tough and strong, being a slave in the beginning. However, at the end of the show he becomes an independent man. Robb from “Game of Thrones” belongs to a privileged group. Titus and Lucius from Rome are also somewhat privileged, in addition to being though and strong. Nevertheless, all these men are white. This is an enormous advantage to their representation of “real” man. Another characteristic that they all have is that they are respected. Spartacus is respected by his gladiator friends and even by the public that fills the arena to watch him fight. He is respected because he is tough and strong. Robb is respected by his family and supporters. He is leading a battle to restore his family honor and assert the independence of his people. He is mainly respected because of his socioeconomic status. Titus and Lucius are respect mainly because of their physical strength and fighting ability.

There is a problem with the way media defines the idea of “real” men. We, as media consumers, need to be aware of this problem and understand why media chooses to define “real” men within this narrow box of qualities. One of the reasons to consider is the fact that most media is owned by rich white men. These men have the power to control whatever images they want to show. By being very selective and narrowing the qualities that define “real” men, media owners maintain their dominance and power over all ethnic groups. Even more, they maintain their dominance and power over men of color.

Jean Kilbourne, bell hooks, and Jackson Katz call our attention to make a change in the way media portrays and exploits images of men and women. It is necessary that we work together. It is necessary that we become less of consumers and take a stronger stand as citizens who disagree with the way media operates in order to change its practices and attitudes.