Author: R. Sullivan (---.88.123)
Date: 05-02-2002 20:02
To whom it may Concern:
This is somewhat off topic but could some one – hopefully Hilary Doda, Tiama'at or someone equally capable of expressing a coherent thought – please explain why in so much of what might be called “liberal media” that males and male sexuality are portrayed or described as inherently wrong.
This is not so say all media portrays males and male sexuality in such a way. Nor is “the left” or the liberal movement in any way lacking in just cause – it has accomplished many worth while things; the vote for women, blacks and other minorities; worker rights; anti-child labor laws; pushing education and environmentalism so that they are powerful political issues; constantly working for civil liberates; etc. These are just and good things for which to fight.
Be that as it may, males and male sexuality is *never* portrayed as anything but wrong and damaging by the liberal media(1). These are not a perfect examples, but they are adequate: males are always the bad guy on any program on the Lifetime channel, while they are just usually the bad guy on the Women’s Entertainment channel. In Michael Moore’s new book, “Stupid White Men,” he devotes an entire chapter to how inexcusably pathetic are males.
Males are inevitably portrayed as rapists, or pedophiles, or serial killers, or homophobic (unless they are homosexual, in which case they are all too often depicted more or less like the character from “Mannequin”) or what-have-you. Males are always portrayed as insatiably sexually hungry and willing to sleep with any woman.
This is not true. There are males who *are* good fathers. The vast majority of males are *not* sexually attracted to children. Males are *not* always looking to get “laid” (a vulgar word) 24/7, no matter the cost (For my part, I do not even like being touched by strangers and make it a point never to pursue or develop a personal relationship with woman with whom I work).
In the “Vagina Monologue’s” book there is a story about an unfortunate young woman whom was born with a birth defect, her vagina was incompletely formed. The story went on to describe how the young woman’s male parent was very supportive and helped her in getting surgery to correct this dreadful problem. On the face of it, this might seem to refute the point of this query. However, this single story seems to be a case of “the exception proving the rule.” This story is so rare in how it portrays males it throws all the others in a stark light.
Inarguably, cases of rape, abuse, pedophilia do happen and each and every one is a tragedy. However, not every male – simply by virtue of being male – is an unwashed sexual predator. Yet males whom can serve as a good role-model – or even, just one who is not a pig – are rare to the point of being non-existent in “liberal media.”
It is difficult – as a male – to try and support a liberal cause when you know from the outset that - as a male – you will be treated as suspect. It is even harder to justify to ones peers putting up with this treatment. Simply, because males have sexually abused women in the past and that some males continue to sexually abuse women is not really justification for women neither treating decent males poorly nor deigning that decent males exist.
If someone could address this issue it would be appreciated.
Thank you for your time and best wishes.
Sincerely,
R.S.S.
(1.) Programs such as “Seventh Heaven,” with its minister father character, nor any sit-com with their plethora of idiot-fathers, nor even “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” with the character of Giles, do not count.
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