The Gillette Ad and Backlash Episode 128, January 17, 2019
A Real Men Feel panel has been formed to discuss the Gillette campaign that seems to have the Internet in an uproar. Much appreciation to Al Flemming, Ameé Quiriconi, Anthony Simeone, Boysen Hodgson, Brandon Boucher, Brian Cardoza, Kenny Earl, and Tony Crisostomo for being a part of this show.
“The ad asks, Is this the best a man can get? How does asking questions come off as lecturing or offensive?” ~Andy Grant
I don’t understand how being called to be better is a lecture. How being asked to call out other men when they are engaging in bullying, sexist, or racist behavior. I didn’t see a lecture, I saw an invitation to tell people when they are going too far instead of keeping it to ourselves. I think that is a good thing.
I sounded the Real Men Feel horn, so I could listen to what others have to say. Online comments have their place, but they don’t make for a quality discussion.
Topics Covered Include:
- What was your first reaction to the Gillette ad?
- What is Gillette’s goal with this?
- Traditional and toxic masculinity
- What does “boys will be boys” mean to you?
- The role of mothers
- Do we want to focus on masculinity or humanity?
- Is this part of the pussification of men?
- Thanks to Gillette for sparking needed conversations
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I really don’t understand why everyone is playing stupid with this issue. It’s very easy to understand really. Let’s put it in a different light….. Assume that the title was “The best a Black can be.” Then show urban black men, smoking dope, gang banging, sexually harassing women, bulling white boys, and so on and so on. Then ask the question… “Is this the best a black can be?”
Now, ask yourself this… would this be offensive? If so, they why does everyone act like they don’t understand why this is totally insulting. It’s real simple to understand, this is ONLY acceptable because the target is either men, white or christian. Any other group, be it Women, Muslim, Black, Asian, Transgender, Gay, Lesbian, Hispanic or what ever, would have had an utter and complete melt down. But I promise you this… NO corporation in the U.S. would even dream of airing such a advertisement unless is was geared to White, Male or Christian. In this case, it was Male.
I hope this helps Andy Grant understand why some of us are very irritated with Gillette and everyone acting like they are too dense to understand how insulting this ad is.
As a black man, the black community has been saying these things to each other for a very long time. I’ve been hearing it, and saying it, for years and it’s been said long before I was born. Why? Because we are under a microscope and have targets in it backs. Does everyone comply? No they do not. They are of the same mind set as those who are not at this commercial: Don’t tell me what to do and stay out of my business, even if what I’m doing is harmful to myself and others.
Would the black, or gay (I’m that too) communities, and others be upset if they were the only ones in this commercial? Probably. Simply because we have enough to deal with in life and are tired of being singled out for every little thing. At least I am. This was a commercial of mostly white dudes. So maybe that’s why mostly white dudes are pissed?
You’re right on one thing though, for years no one would dare challenge the white man. It’s happening now and white men don’t like it.