GUADIA AZIZE
INSTRUCTOR: MAGDALENA BOGACKA
ENG. 101. O800`1
NOVEMBER 16TH, 2010
The concept of men solidifying their masculinity through collective rituals of heterosexual activities is well established within American culture. Contemporary public institutions have come to embrace this type of collective behavior practiced amongst adult males as described by Grazian in “The Girl Hunt”, and supported by two other credible sources in Friday night Lights: A Town A Team and a Dream and Gender Trouble: Feminism And the Subversion of Identity, Which helped me shape my argument in discussing the performative aspect of masculinity. The sources illustrate my agreeing to the different aspects of group-oriented roles that men engage in, to hype their masculinity. These roles include: from men’s perception of an ideal standard of masculinity to the political patriarchy which subordinates women and to the one-upmanship characteristics that are displayed as methods to gain in-group-status while functioning to build confidence along with a sense of belongingness necessary to maintain the gender ideologies associated with the collective performance of masculinity.
The ideology of masculinity is presented in “The Girl Hunt” as a performative behavior learned through institutionalized set of rules as oppose to being an inherent trait passed on by its primal ancestors. For instance, according to the writer in “The Girl Hunt” Goffman, West and Zimmerman argues:
Like femininity; masculinity is not innate but an
accomplishment of human behavior that appears
natural because gendered individuals adhere to
an institutionalized set of myths they learn
through everyday interactions and encounters,
and thus accept as social reality (Grazian 320).
The interpretation of gender as a learned behavior is intelligently illustrated in Gender Trouble, as the author writes:
……..The distinction between sex and gender
serves the argument that whatever biological
intractability sex appears to have, gender is
culturally constructed. Hence, gender is neither
the casual result of sex nor as seemingly fixed as
sex (Butler 8).
This statement verifies the the understanding of gender as performative and culturally influenced, which is why masculinity is thought of as an idealized normative standard flaunted through aesthetic displays of gestures and body language passed on by the collective rituals of especially young adolescent males. As a result, this kind of behavior becomes the accepted standard as it is reshaped and influenced by the contemporary courtship rituals desperetaly sought after by heterosexual men looking to introduce the up-to-date idealized characteristics of masculinity. The collective performance of masculinity is also practiced by young males to validate their manhood, gain in-group-status, as well as hooking up with a girl under sexist terms. In the reading of “The Girl Hunt” Grazian describes the validation of manhood associated with in-group status as he writes:
As these young men dance arm-in-arm with one
another, they generate the collective
effervescence and a sense of social
connectedness necessary to plunge into the
nightlife (Grazian 327).
There is a significant correlation between this statement and what the author in Friday Night Lights, claims by saying:
They would still be gladiators, the ones who were
envied by everyone else, the ones who knew
about the best parties and got the best girls and
and laughed the loudest and strutted so proudly
through The halls of school as if it was their own
wonderful private kingdom (Bissinger 327).
the comparisons seem to compliment each other, for Grazian refers to young men that work collectively and effectively to boost their confidence and be able to perform at the highest possible level before taking that initial step of pulling themselves off the couches, as they head out and into a mysterious night life filled with promising erotic encounters with the opposite sex, overwhelming these adolescent men with immature compulsive egos and unfulfilled quotas pertaining to sexual experiences. In comparison, Bissinger points out the dominant masculine expectations of young, strong and athletic players whose only goal is to establish their presence as these ultimately symbols of heroism, herosexuality, and manhood; Resulting as the subjects of women’s sexual desires and in prerogatives of male-bonding. Moreover, gender hierarchy describes the subordination of women through men’s collective performances implemented by the political patriarchy and heterosexual objectifications of women.
The subordination of women is driven by the political patriarchy and the perceived principles of gender roles. The author in “The Girl Hunt” supports this idea by claiming:
……Joey’s confidence is boosted by the
camaraderie he experiences in a bonding ritual
in which women---supposedly the agreed—upon
raison d’etre for the evening---are ignored or,
when they make their presence known, scolded.
This comment reiterates what the author in Friday Night Lights refers to as he writes:
………..So desperate was she to intergrate herself
with the football players that she bought one of
them a brand-new backpack and then offered
him fifty dollars to sleep with her
(Bissinger 141).
Both authors Grazian and bissinger argue, that women are perceived as a sexual object or some sort of trophy that you can raise up high to show your buddies and say “the persisting bolstering of our egos has paid off”. Another method by which women are subordinated is the way public perception of gender is manipulated in society as a whole,
Especially here in the United States. For instance, the author in Gender Trouble writes:
The political assumption that there must be a
universal basis for feminism, one which must be
found in an identity assumed to exist cross—
culturally often accompanies the notion that the
oppression of women has some singular form
discernible in the universal or hegemonic
structure of patriarchy or masculine domination
(Butler 5).
Bissinger illustrates the political and linguistic methods that are used to undermine women’s liberation and representation. femininity has suffered a great deal under the political patriarchy which has given women identities that symbolizes them as inferior beings or troublesome to men. The gender hierarchy has conceptualized femininity as being digressive and divisive in nature. This type of sexist behavior practiced in male-dominated political arenas is what Grazian talks about when he refers to the collective performance that men engage in to boost their masculinity by objectifying and subordinating women for the soul purpose of fulfilling the collective rituals that furnish them with power and control.
The author, David Grazian in “The Girl Hunt” Suggests, the performative aspect of masculinity is not only a learned behavior but a means by which it conveys gestures and body expressions; a social response under the influence of divisive gender rules made up and governed by male—dominated institutions (337). For men, collective rituals are ways of solidifying their self-esteem, masculinity, and in-group-status. young men come together to share their most testaterone-boosting stories about how much money they got, what cars they drive, and the number of girls that desire to be with them. Although, this type of behavior is what labels women as sexual objects, it releases anamalistic tensions from within the male structure that would otherwise inhibit their ability to function as heterosexuals. In other words masculinity is not pre-conditioned, but rather constitutes collective performances compatable to the current sexualized patterns of courtships.
Works Cited
Bissinger, H.G. Friday Night Lights: A Town A Team And A Dream
Cambridge: Da Capo Press, 1900. Print.
Bordo, Susan “Gentleman Or Beast? The Double Bind Of Masculinity”
The Male Body: A New Look At men in Public. New York:
Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2000. 242-264 Print.
Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminisim And The Subversion Of
Identity New York: Routledge Classics, 1900. Print.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
fathering paradoxe
The photograph relates to Coltrane's ideas of fathering in that it suggests a more intimate relationship betwween the father and his offspring. this concept is supported by the author saying "although married fathers report that they value their families over their job,they spend significantly more time in paid work and less time in married work than married mothers,with most men continuing to serve as helpers to their wives, especially for house work and child maintenance activities
annotated bibliography #2 completed
Guadia Azize
Instructor: Magdalena Bogacka
Eng. 101. 0800
November 19th, 2010
Annotated Bibliography
Bissinger, H.G. Fiday Night Lights: A Town a Team and
A Dream. Cambridge: DA CAPO PRESS, 1990.
The author, Bissinger, follows the real-life drama of a high school football team with more history than the town itself. this book tells the story of how one football team raises the spirits of not only the individual athletes, but also that of the local community who never fails to fill "Permian Stadium" to capacity and watch their favorite foot ball team. Topics range from the devotion to a football team in texas to feminine supporting roles and to the emotional moments that bring a bunch of battle-tested young males, helplessly to their knees. This is a well developed narrative in which young adolescent men are portrayed as heroes, and in losing, they are given the form of a cohesive team that gives a spirited effort, but falls short of its goal.
The author, the winner of a pulitzer prize, has written for N.Y.P.D Blue, and is also a contributing editor. The source is quite valuable as it relates to the performative behavior enacted by young high school athletes as they interact amongst themselves and with the opposite sex. This is a reliable source because the author invests a good deal of his time on surveying "The FootBall Team", as he is also a sports fan. However, his affiliation with sports gives a biased perspective on the matter being that he develops an emotional connection with the players themselves. Nonetheless, I agree with his description of masculinity as displayed by the atheletes in "friday Night Lights".
The souce will be helpful as it corrolates with the collective performative behaviors of masculinity as presented in the "Girl Hunt". Moreover, this source has confirmed my opinion concerning men's performative rituals that are incorporated to achieve in-group status. For instance, Coach Gary Gains ushers in a new season of Permian FootBall welcoming his players suggesting "There is twelve hundred boys in Permian High School. You divide that by three and there is four hundred in every class. You guys are a very special breed ...."(Bissinger, 24). The coach is re-energizing the players' testoterone-driven personalities to solidify their roles as a cohesive unit. A type of one-manship that is talked about in "The Girl Hunt".
Butler, Judith Gender Trouble: Feminism And
The Subversion Of Identity New york:
Routledge Classics, 1990.
This particular book talks about the divisive strategies incorporated by the heterosexual epistemology in which identity is used to subordinate a specific groups such as homosexuals, femininity and bisexuals just to name a few. It covers topics ranging from sex/gender signification to solidifying masculinity through the father and son bond to questioning the pratriarchy that makes up labels for the perceived inferior gender. The author goes into detail about the gender contradictions implemented by the dominant male-order.
Judith Butler is maxine Elliot Professor In The Departments Of Rhetoric and Comparative literature and the Director of the Program of the critical theory of the university of California, Berkeley. She received her P.H.D in philosophy from the university in 1984 on the french reception of hegel. This souce is seemingly useful in suggesting that gender is a repeated social performance, where as gender is not thought of as a biological trait. The information illustrated in this source relates to the performative behaviors described by Bissinger, who personally paints a collaborative team effort manifested through supportive group interactions that takes place both on the field and in the locker-rooms. Judith Butler includes reference points made by Faucult, Freud, Kristeva, Irigaray, and wittig all well known academic scholars who have studied the meaning of gender by comparing and contrasting the contingent perception of gender identity in different cultures, particularly in the western hemisphere. The author's opinions, for the most part are objective considering the neutral perspective on feminist theory, masculinity and the other non-heterosexual identity that someone could be involved with to distance himself/herself from the subordination of gender.
I can use this source to illustrate how masculinity has influenced the perception of gender in the context of American culture. Furthermore, it has re-asserted my previous belief on the necessity for young adult males to engage in collective masculinistic rituals to out-do each other or supress the opposite sex by objectifying women or hindering their movement for gender equality. for example, the author questions, "what best way to trouble the gender categories that support gender hierarchy and compulsory herosexulity?" (Butler, xxx). She talks about the contradictory notions that females have to challenge to develop a sense of worthiness by putting less emphasis on the contingent gender binaries.
topic sentence
My argument focuses on how the collective performances of masculinity shapes and influences gender roles in the context of American cuiture.
Instructor: Magdalena Bogacka
Eng. 101. 0800
November 19th, 2010
Annotated Bibliography
Bissinger, H.G. Fiday Night Lights: A Town a Team and
A Dream. Cambridge: DA CAPO PRESS, 1990.
The author, Bissinger, follows the real-life drama of a high school football team with more history than the town itself. this book tells the story of how one football team raises the spirits of not only the individual athletes, but also that of the local community who never fails to fill "Permian Stadium" to capacity and watch their favorite foot ball team. Topics range from the devotion to a football team in texas to feminine supporting roles and to the emotional moments that bring a bunch of battle-tested young males, helplessly to their knees. This is a well developed narrative in which young adolescent men are portrayed as heroes, and in losing, they are given the form of a cohesive team that gives a spirited effort, but falls short of its goal.
The author, the winner of a pulitzer prize, has written for N.Y.P.D Blue, and is also a contributing editor. The source is quite valuable as it relates to the performative behavior enacted by young high school athletes as they interact amongst themselves and with the opposite sex. This is a reliable source because the author invests a good deal of his time on surveying "The FootBall Team", as he is also a sports fan. However, his affiliation with sports gives a biased perspective on the matter being that he develops an emotional connection with the players themselves. Nonetheless, I agree with his description of masculinity as displayed by the atheletes in "friday Night Lights".
The souce will be helpful as it corrolates with the collective performative behaviors of masculinity as presented in the "Girl Hunt". Moreover, this source has confirmed my opinion concerning men's performative rituals that are incorporated to achieve in-group status. For instance, Coach Gary Gains ushers in a new season of Permian FootBall welcoming his players suggesting "There is twelve hundred boys in Permian High School. You divide that by three and there is four hundred in every class. You guys are a very special breed ...."(Bissinger, 24). The coach is re-energizing the players' testoterone-driven personalities to solidify their roles as a cohesive unit. A type of one-manship that is talked about in "The Girl Hunt".
Butler, Judith Gender Trouble: Feminism And
The Subversion Of Identity New york:
Routledge Classics, 1990.
This particular book talks about the divisive strategies incorporated by the heterosexual epistemology in which identity is used to subordinate a specific groups such as homosexuals, femininity and bisexuals just to name a few. It covers topics ranging from sex/gender signification to solidifying masculinity through the father and son bond to questioning the pratriarchy that makes up labels for the perceived inferior gender. The author goes into detail about the gender contradictions implemented by the dominant male-order.
Judith Butler is maxine Elliot Professor In The Departments Of Rhetoric and Comparative literature and the Director of the Program of the critical theory of the university of California, Berkeley. She received her P.H.D in philosophy from the university in 1984 on the french reception of hegel. This souce is seemingly useful in suggesting that gender is a repeated social performance, where as gender is not thought of as a biological trait. The information illustrated in this source relates to the performative behaviors described by Bissinger, who personally paints a collaborative team effort manifested through supportive group interactions that takes place both on the field and in the locker-rooms. Judith Butler includes reference points made by Faucult, Freud, Kristeva, Irigaray, and wittig all well known academic scholars who have studied the meaning of gender by comparing and contrasting the contingent perception of gender identity in different cultures, particularly in the western hemisphere. The author's opinions, for the most part are objective considering the neutral perspective on feminist theory, masculinity and the other non-heterosexual identity that someone could be involved with to distance himself/herself from the subordination of gender.
I can use this source to illustrate how masculinity has influenced the perception of gender in the context of American culture. Furthermore, it has re-asserted my previous belief on the necessity for young adult males to engage in collective masculinistic rituals to out-do each other or supress the opposite sex by objectifying women or hindering their movement for gender equality. for example, the author questions, "what best way to trouble the gender categories that support gender hierarchy and compulsory herosexulity?" (Butler, xxx). She talks about the contradictory notions that females have to challenge to develop a sense of worthiness by putting less emphasis on the contingent gender binaries.
topic sentence
My argument focuses on how the collective performances of masculinity shapes and influences gender roles in the context of American cuiture.
Friday, November 12, 2010
My Worst Date
I went out with a girl who was cute in the face, but a little bit over weight. and that turned me off. It was a hook up through a mutual friend. the actual date was okay. she had a childish attitude while her personality some what childish. i decided not to see her again.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
proposal
Guadia J Azize
Instructor: Magdalena Bogacka
Eng. 101. 0800
November 9th, 2010
I would prefer to concentrate on the collective performance of masculinity because this is a strategy that men use to give each other confidence and support to enact their go-getter roles and pick up girls at social events. For instance, Grazian refers to the different stages of cohesive displays acted out by heterosexuals during the pre-game, face-to-face interactions with females and after one of their "team-mates " scores a date with the help of the "wing-man". Grazian's description of masculinity "In The Girl Hunt" talks about the social interactions that goes on in today's urban night life. I can relate to his views because that is the norm in college campuses across the states; young men get together to plan and carry out their girl-hunting strategies.
According to Grazian in the "girl Hunt" interactionists believe masculinity symbolizes dramaturgical performances that are learned through social behaviors. in other words masculinity is strongly influenced by its surroundings such as the male peers who constantly re-enforce the rules of girl hunting to instill the characteristics of a womanizer. Further more, in "The Wedding Crashers" Vince Vaugh is forced to stick up for his buddy, Owen Wilson, when he brakes the rules in falling for an attractive young woman.
the ideas I'm looking for will come from three different sources. pimarily, I've chosen "The Girl Hunt" by David Grazian. The other two will come from the works cited page provided by Garzian. hopefully, I can piece together the subject matter by lookig for supporting points that correlates with the collective performances that are displayed by young men to gain peer status. Also, i will need information on how they interact with potential sex partners at night clubs or any other after-hours settings. maybe through the database on the computer or the hard copies in the library, I will find the needed materials for this requested research.
Instructor: Magdalena Bogacka
Eng. 101. 0800
November 9th, 2010
I would prefer to concentrate on the collective performance of masculinity because this is a strategy that men use to give each other confidence and support to enact their go-getter roles and pick up girls at social events. For instance, Grazian refers to the different stages of cohesive displays acted out by heterosexuals during the pre-game, face-to-face interactions with females and after one of their "team-mates " scores a date with the help of the "wing-man". Grazian's description of masculinity "In The Girl Hunt" talks about the social interactions that goes on in today's urban night life. I can relate to his views because that is the norm in college campuses across the states; young men get together to plan and carry out their girl-hunting strategies.
According to Grazian in the "girl Hunt" interactionists believe masculinity symbolizes dramaturgical performances that are learned through social behaviors. in other words masculinity is strongly influenced by its surroundings such as the male peers who constantly re-enforce the rules of girl hunting to instill the characteristics of a womanizer. Further more, in "The Wedding Crashers" Vince Vaugh is forced to stick up for his buddy, Owen Wilson, when he brakes the rules in falling for an attractive young woman.
the ideas I'm looking for will come from three different sources. pimarily, I've chosen "The Girl Hunt" by David Grazian. The other two will come from the works cited page provided by Garzian. hopefully, I can piece together the subject matter by lookig for supporting points that correlates with the collective performances that are displayed by young men to gain peer status. Also, i will need information on how they interact with potential sex partners at night clubs or any other after-hours settings. maybe through the database on the computer or the hard copies in the library, I will find the needed materials for this requested research.
Monday, November 8, 2010
draft research paper#1
GUADIA J AZIZE
INSTRUCTOR: MAGDALENA BOGACKA
ENG. 101 0800
November 3, 2010
I will attempt to explain the equivocal standard of masculinity, by giving credibility to its proverbial aspect of leadership. As many of you know, men have been at the center of many public discussions concerning their social roles and behaviors in the context of American culture. I will define masculinity, through my own words, how masculinity has incorporated the deftness in which they carry out, politically, militarily, an also in a morally dignified way the meaning of being a leader .In turn, traditional masculinity has a significant role in America. Perhaps, you might wonder why men have to be tough, self-centered and brave to show their homosocial identity?. I confront this question by saying, these are qualities that men have evolved from the traditional life-styles that were instilled by their ancestors, and enacted through-out history, whether it was to conquer foreign land; fight for the oppressed; or just simply to keep the values of freedom intact.
Since men are strong and aggressive, I argue that they are more equipped to face and overcome hardships; as oppose to idling around doing nothing, they actually initiate, command, lead, or take charge of the pending situation if one was ever present. I will further discuss the leadership aspects of masculinity through sources I obtained and analyzed from a 2009 year’s prescriptions of Esquire, in which I was able to make-out the type of masculinity being conveyed to the reader. The magazine helps me describe the certain aspects that correlate with a man being in control while showing poise and determination. Just as I have chosen Esquire to be my primary source; my secondary sources are just as important to support the leadership patterns Illustrated in my primary sources.
When you characterize masculinity in a soldierly like fashion. What comes into mind is a man who follows certain rules and laws to abide by. Men are perceived as machines whose only goals is to bolster the self-confidence that is required of them to show off their masculine characteristics in an imposing and commanding manner. The thought of enacting the male gender in a military, warlike environment, can make anyone frown at the prospect of a soldier having to leave his family to engage in military activities. In the article “We’ve Seen The Future” the writer makes a distinction between civilian and military life by saying:
Air force Staff Sergeant Charles Anderson pucks his
wristwatch from the cup holder and crosses into the
warzone. He wears the watch only at work, and the
ritual shifts his thoughts from the everyday, which
lately has been occupied by wedding plans and house
huntings (Mockenhoupt 131).
This statement coincides with a reference I picked out from the Bush At War , where the author argues:
They wanted the president to be seen reaching out to
families of the thousands of victims who had died
when the towers collapsed, as well as the rescue
workers who were struggling around the clock in a
desperate search for survival (Woodward 54).
The reference made by Woodward supports the leadership role that is illustrated in “We’ve Seen The Future” because Woodward is pointing to the difficult times that men in general, are facing as husbands, fathers and military leaders. Every day they have to make sure their families are safe and sound before parting ways to take on other responsibilities, such as operating unmanned vehicles, coordinating cameras, and overseeing maintenance procedures that keep predators flying in good conditions. So basically, they are beginning to accept he harsh reality of having to juggle their civilian as well as their military life.
In another example the writer stresses the importance of having humans to control unmanned vehicles without relying too much on computers (Mockenhoupt 136). His concern with aerial vehicles suggests, we still need a reliable commander to take charge of the situation as oppose to getting too comfortable with technology. This type of masculinity is the normative aspect of masculinity because in the Bush At War, the former deputy director for operations, James L. Pavitt explains “This covert action program will include paramilitary, logistical, and psychological warfare elements as well as classical espionage”. (qutd. in Woodward 50). This statement emphasizes the strategy of implementing the leadership qualities of masculinity especially how Woodward uses the word psychological to describe the mental one-manship incorporated to intimidate the enemy.
The leadership qualities portrayed in the political arena focuses on the charisma, determination and on the deftness of masculinity. As we all know, politics can be a dirty game of mud-slinging and bottomless pockets. But here, I will explain how the leadership aspect of masculinity takes center-stage to establish itself as the intellectually minded person who makes the tough decisions and manage fund-raisers to elect potential candidates. For instance, in “The Men Who Made Obama” Jim Messina, The Deputy Chief Of Staff Argues, [David Plouffe], “if he wanted to go invent cold fusion, he’d figure out a way to do it” (qtd. in taddeo 124). This proclamation conveys the mental focus of David Plouffe who, through his subtle and engaging personality, managed to elect the first African American President of the United States. This statement also refers to a man who thinks out of the box by not listening to his adversaries instead, leaning towards a more (I’m-in-control) aspect of masculinity. This type masculinity seems to be in sync with the American people since the author argues, in The Audacity Of Hope:
and sometimes someone will grab my hand and tell
me that they have great hopes for me, but they are
worried that Washington is going to change me and
I will end up just like all the rest of the people in
power (Obama 102).
This focuses on the concern of the American citizens who worried that Obama might turn out be a corrupted leader with the sole purpose to deceive the voters for personal and political status.
Furthermore, in an interview with Esquire, Bill Cinton argues, the Republican Party thought of the government as a nuisance, a propaganda, it (G.O.P) intended to sell to the public to divide the country and to show that a bigger government will ultimately hinder the economic progress. This is Bill Clinton, when asked in an interview with Esquire:
The whole idea was that government would
mess-up a two-car parade, therefore the only
thing it was good for was cutting taxes, laying
concrete, and supporting the defense department
(qtd. in warren 100).
The above reference as presented by Bill Clinton describes the ideology of the G.O.P. towards “Big Government” the author, Mark Warren portrays Bill Clinton as the man who successfully wiped-out the negative images associated with the government, in turn, saving its reputation. To summarize, the former president’s leadership skills were displayed in the face of uncertainty and animosity against congress. This particular issue, according to the author in The Audacity Of Hope, is a distraction used to make people doubt their own government by arguing:
The Republican Party has been able to
consistently win elections not by expanding
its base but by vilifying democrats, driving
Wedges into the electorate, energizing its
right wing….. (Obama 39).
The comparison between Warren’s and Obama’s quotes brings to light a type of masculinity that takes charge of the situation without actually engaging in verbal attack to discredit his opponent. On the contrary, it regroups and takes command as if to say (I’m not going to stoop to your level. rather, I’m going to take care of this in a more professional and subtle manner!). In addition, I will explain the moral values that come hand in hand with being a leader in the context of American culture
American values, for the most part, are what make each and every one of us humans because it gives us a sense of belonging and a profound appreciation for our share beliefs in individual freedoms and the constitution. In the article “Journal:Newtownville Massachusetts” the writer unknowingly tries to depict his feelings towards the 2008 election day process that subsequently, without controversy, nominated Barack Obama, and shifts to places where African Americans initially made their mark to improve the educational and social inequalities that were present during the better half of the 20th century. According to my observation, Charles Pierce P. describes James Meredith not as a follower, but as a leader who took the initiative, through his spirited and relentless effort, gained admittance, as the first colored person, to the University Of Mississippi (62). This belief is also reiterated by the author of The Audacity Of Hope, with his thoughts:
……. What ultimately broke the back of Jim Crow
and ushered in a new era of race relations
were the supreme court cases culminating in
Brown v. Board Of Education, the Civil
Rights Act Of 1965 (Obama 63).
In This quotation, Obama refers to the spirited, risk-taking quality of independent men who paved the way for a just society. Moreover, it supports Pierce’s thoughts about the ideal masculinity that guides a contingency with a firm, leading and imposing presence.
Men lead by example in the context of military, political, and family life; as illustrated in the Esquire magazine. A man in a family setting displays his leadership qualities instinctively when providing a safe home, tending to the needs of his significant other or taking the kids to the museum. A man that comprises all these qualities gives the impression of an exemplary figure and an aura of trustworthiness. Without warning, once again, masculinity shifts its Attention to take on other responsibilities, where leadership roles are literally on demand, especially when as a soldier, on a battlefield, your comrades expect from you to fight alongside without deserting them. Or the tough decisions you have to make as politician to keep the economy from nose-diving to the ground. Leaders can affect a whole nation. That is why they are constantly placed under a magnifying glass. The leaders of this post-modern world, are the ones who we look up to for guidance and reassurance during this unstable but yet promising times.
Works Cited
Mockenhaupt, Brian “The Future Of War: We’ve Seen The Future And Is Unmanned” Esquire 153.3 (Mar: 2009): 131-137. Print.
Obama, Barack. The Audacity Of Hope: Thoughts On Reclaiming The American Dream New York: Three Rivers Press, 2006.
Pierce Charles P “Journal: Newtownville Massachusetts” Esquire 151.1 (Jan: 2009): 62. Print.
Taddeo, Lisa “The Man Who Made Obama: One Of This Man changed Politics For Ever” Esquire 153.3 (Mar: 2009): 122-127. Print.
Warren, Mark “Bill Clinton: Then and Now “ Esquire 152.4 (Oct: 2009): 100,102 Print.
Woodward, Bob. Bush At War New York: Simon and Schuster, 2002.
INSTRUCTOR: MAGDALENA BOGACKA
ENG. 101 0800
November 3, 2010
I will attempt to explain the equivocal standard of masculinity, by giving credibility to its proverbial aspect of leadership. As many of you know, men have been at the center of many public discussions concerning their social roles and behaviors in the context of American culture. I will define masculinity, through my own words, how masculinity has incorporated the deftness in which they carry out, politically, militarily, an also in a morally dignified way the meaning of being a leader .In turn, traditional masculinity has a significant role in America. Perhaps, you might wonder why men have to be tough, self-centered and brave to show their homosocial identity?. I confront this question by saying, these are qualities that men have evolved from the traditional life-styles that were instilled by their ancestors, and enacted through-out history, whether it was to conquer foreign land; fight for the oppressed; or just simply to keep the values of freedom intact.
Since men are strong and aggressive, I argue that they are more equipped to face and overcome hardships; as oppose to idling around doing nothing, they actually initiate, command, lead, or take charge of the pending situation if one was ever present. I will further discuss the leadership aspects of masculinity through sources I obtained and analyzed from a 2009 year’s prescriptions of Esquire, in which I was able to make-out the type of masculinity being conveyed to the reader. The magazine helps me describe the certain aspects that correlate with a man being in control while showing poise and determination. Just as I have chosen Esquire to be my primary source; my secondary sources are just as important to support the leadership patterns Illustrated in my primary sources.
When you characterize masculinity in a soldierly like fashion. What comes into mind is a man who follows certain rules and laws to abide by. Men are perceived as machines whose only goals is to bolster the self-confidence that is required of them to show off their masculine characteristics in an imposing and commanding manner. The thought of enacting the male gender in a military, warlike environment, can make anyone frown at the prospect of a soldier having to leave his family to engage in military activities. In the article “We’ve Seen The Future” the writer makes a distinction between civilian and military life by saying:
Air force Staff Sergeant Charles Anderson pucks his
wristwatch from the cup holder and crosses into the
warzone. He wears the watch only at work, and the
ritual shifts his thoughts from the everyday, which
lately has been occupied by wedding plans and house
huntings (Mockenhoupt 131).
This statement coincides with a reference I picked out from the Bush At War , where the author argues:
They wanted the president to be seen reaching out to
families of the thousands of victims who had died
when the towers collapsed, as well as the rescue
workers who were struggling around the clock in a
desperate search for survival (Woodward 54).
The reference made by Woodward supports the leadership role that is illustrated in “We’ve Seen The Future” because Woodward is pointing to the difficult times that men in general, are facing as husbands, fathers and military leaders. Every day they have to make sure their families are safe and sound before parting ways to take on other responsibilities, such as operating unmanned vehicles, coordinating cameras, and overseeing maintenance procedures that keep predators flying in good conditions. So basically, they are beginning to accept he harsh reality of having to juggle their civilian as well as their military life.
In another example the writer stresses the importance of having humans to control unmanned vehicles without relying too much on computers (Mockenhoupt 136). His concern with aerial vehicles suggests, we still need a reliable commander to take charge of the situation as oppose to getting too comfortable with technology. This type of masculinity is the normative aspect of masculinity because in the Bush At War, the former deputy director for operations, James L. Pavitt explains “This covert action program will include paramilitary, logistical, and psychological warfare elements as well as classical espionage”. (qutd. in Woodward 50). This statement emphasizes the strategy of implementing the leadership qualities of masculinity especially how Woodward uses the word psychological to describe the mental one-manship incorporated to intimidate the enemy.
The leadership qualities portrayed in the political arena focuses on the charisma, determination and on the deftness of masculinity. As we all know, politics can be a dirty game of mud-slinging and bottomless pockets. But here, I will explain how the leadership aspect of masculinity takes center-stage to establish itself as the intellectually minded person who makes the tough decisions and manage fund-raisers to elect potential candidates. For instance, in “The Men Who Made Obama” Jim Messina, The Deputy Chief Of Staff Argues, [David Plouffe], “if he wanted to go invent cold fusion, he’d figure out a way to do it” (qtd. in taddeo 124). This proclamation conveys the mental focus of David Plouffe who, through his subtle and engaging personality, managed to elect the first African American President of the United States. This statement also refers to a man who thinks out of the box by not listening to his adversaries instead, leaning towards a more (I’m-in-control) aspect of masculinity. This type masculinity seems to be in sync with the American people since the author argues, in The Audacity Of Hope:
and sometimes someone will grab my hand and tell
me that they have great hopes for me, but they are
worried that Washington is going to change me and
I will end up just like all the rest of the people in
power (Obama 102).
This focuses on the concern of the American citizens who worried that Obama might turn out be a corrupted leader with the sole purpose to deceive the voters for personal and political status.
Furthermore, in an interview with Esquire, Bill Cinton argues, the Republican Party thought of the government as a nuisance, a propaganda, it (G.O.P) intended to sell to the public to divide the country and to show that a bigger government will ultimately hinder the economic progress. This is Bill Clinton, when asked in an interview with Esquire:
The whole idea was that government would
mess-up a two-car parade, therefore the only
thing it was good for was cutting taxes, laying
concrete, and supporting the defense department
(qtd. in warren 100).
The above reference as presented by Bill Clinton describes the ideology of the G.O.P. towards “Big Government” the author, Mark Warren portrays Bill Clinton as the man who successfully wiped-out the negative images associated with the government, in turn, saving its reputation. To summarize, the former president’s leadership skills were displayed in the face of uncertainty and animosity against congress. This particular issue, according to the author in The Audacity Of Hope, is a distraction used to make people doubt their own government by arguing:
The Republican Party has been able to
consistently win elections not by expanding
its base but by vilifying democrats, driving
Wedges into the electorate, energizing its
right wing….. (Obama 39).
The comparison between Warren’s and Obama’s quotes brings to light a type of masculinity that takes charge of the situation without actually engaging in verbal attack to discredit his opponent. On the contrary, it regroups and takes command as if to say (I’m not going to stoop to your level. rather, I’m going to take care of this in a more professional and subtle manner!). In addition, I will explain the moral values that come hand in hand with being a leader in the context of American culture
American values, for the most part, are what make each and every one of us humans because it gives us a sense of belonging and a profound appreciation for our share beliefs in individual freedoms and the constitution. In the article “Journal:Newtownville Massachusetts” the writer unknowingly tries to depict his feelings towards the 2008 election day process that subsequently, without controversy, nominated Barack Obama, and shifts to places where African Americans initially made their mark to improve the educational and social inequalities that were present during the better half of the 20th century. According to my observation, Charles Pierce P. describes James Meredith not as a follower, but as a leader who took the initiative, through his spirited and relentless effort, gained admittance, as the first colored person, to the University Of Mississippi (62). This belief is also reiterated by the author of The Audacity Of Hope, with his thoughts:
……. What ultimately broke the back of Jim Crow
and ushered in a new era of race relations
were the supreme court cases culminating in
Brown v. Board Of Education, the Civil
Rights Act Of 1965 (Obama 63).
In This quotation, Obama refers to the spirited, risk-taking quality of independent men who paved the way for a just society. Moreover, it supports Pierce’s thoughts about the ideal masculinity that guides a contingency with a firm, leading and imposing presence.
Men lead by example in the context of military, political, and family life; as illustrated in the Esquire magazine. A man in a family setting displays his leadership qualities instinctively when providing a safe home, tending to the needs of his significant other or taking the kids to the museum. A man that comprises all these qualities gives the impression of an exemplary figure and an aura of trustworthiness. Without warning, once again, masculinity shifts its Attention to take on other responsibilities, where leadership roles are literally on demand, especially when as a soldier, on a battlefield, your comrades expect from you to fight alongside without deserting them. Or the tough decisions you have to make as politician to keep the economy from nose-diving to the ground. Leaders can affect a whole nation. That is why they are constantly placed under a magnifying glass. The leaders of this post-modern world, are the ones who we look up to for guidance and reassurance during this unstable but yet promising times.
Works Cited
Mockenhaupt, Brian “The Future Of War: We’ve Seen The Future And Is Unmanned” Esquire 153.3 (Mar: 2009): 131-137. Print.
Obama, Barack. The Audacity Of Hope: Thoughts On Reclaiming The American Dream New York: Three Rivers Press, 2006.
Pierce Charles P “Journal: Newtownville Massachusetts” Esquire 151.1 (Jan: 2009): 62. Print.
Taddeo, Lisa “The Man Who Made Obama: One Of This Man changed Politics For Ever” Esquire 153.3 (Mar: 2009): 122-127. Print.
Warren, Mark “Bill Clinton: Then and Now “ Esquire 152.4 (Oct: 2009): 100,102 Print.
Woodward, Bob. Bush At War New York: Simon and Schuster, 2002.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
"Wedding Crashers"
GUADIA J AZIZE
INSTRUCTOR: MAGDALENA BOGACKA
ENG. 101. 080
OCTOBER 26, 2010
Vince vaughn, from the very beginning of the movie, interacts with a man, in the middle of a divorce dispute, with whom he takes the opportunity to share his masculine ideology of being a bachelor, by suggesting marriage is the worst thing that ever happened to a man. In addition, he believes, the manly thing to do is to flirt with strippers. The main characters poke fun at each other as they plan their next move to steal the spotlight from a pool of exciting wedding events. Vince Vaughn uses his charm to manipulate women's emotions by pretending he cares for them. the male characters see their male acquaintances as their mutual rivals, but at the same time they foolishly exploit the secretary of state welcoming gesture. which, in turn, makes them feel important. I consider their behaviors to be masculine because the goal is to meet lots of women at weddings, by insinuating, they can choose from more than two-hundred available single women. The movie focuses more on the male-female relationship bonds, in that there is multiple sexual and romantic encounters between the two genders. For instance, the main characters set out to perform the courtship rituals design to seduce and deceive women. The main characters of "The wedding Crashers" and the college students surveyd in "The Girl Hunt" both stress the dramaturgical performances of masculinity. What I walk away with from watching this film is the way men encourage and support each other, as illustrated by Vince Vaughn's and Owen Wilson's character leading up to the anticipated sexual event, used as strategies to score a date with a potential female partner or simply make them feel young at hart.
Wedding Crashers Dir. David Bodkin. Perf. Vince Vaughn And
Owens Wilson. New Line Cinema., 2005.
INSTRUCTOR: MAGDALENA BOGACKA
ENG. 101. 080
OCTOBER 26, 2010
Vince vaughn, from the very beginning of the movie, interacts with a man, in the middle of a divorce dispute, with whom he takes the opportunity to share his masculine ideology of being a bachelor, by suggesting marriage is the worst thing that ever happened to a man. In addition, he believes, the manly thing to do is to flirt with strippers. The main characters poke fun at each other as they plan their next move to steal the spotlight from a pool of exciting wedding events. Vince Vaughn uses his charm to manipulate women's emotions by pretending he cares for them. the male characters see their male acquaintances as their mutual rivals, but at the same time they foolishly exploit the secretary of state welcoming gesture. which, in turn, makes them feel important. I consider their behaviors to be masculine because the goal is to meet lots of women at weddings, by insinuating, they can choose from more than two-hundred available single women. The movie focuses more on the male-female relationship bonds, in that there is multiple sexual and romantic encounters between the two genders. For instance, the main characters set out to perform the courtship rituals design to seduce and deceive women. The main characters of "The wedding Crashers" and the college students surveyd in "The Girl Hunt" both stress the dramaturgical performances of masculinity. What I walk away with from watching this film is the way men encourage and support each other, as illustrated by Vince Vaughn's and Owen Wilson's character leading up to the anticipated sexual event, used as strategies to score a date with a potential female partner or simply make them feel young at hart.
Wedding Crashers Dir. David Bodkin. Perf. Vince Vaughn And
Owens Wilson. New Line Cinema., 2005.
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