If only you could print this entire essay in little tiny booklets, kind of like those miniature copies of the Constitution people carry around to whip out and correct you on some point. I’d like to have these on hand to distribute wordlessly to so many people. So many.
I’ll be in my laboratory all day working on my cloning machine. When it’s done, I’m putting you in it first.
This is, of course hysterical, and accurate. But it’s also the kind of vulnerability and self awareness that’s going to move us forward. That line about submissiveness and how much they (men) must hate women.....whew dude. Fire.
Paul, all I will say is this: THANK YOU. This is so validating and refreshing to read from a man. I will give you a Hallelujah and a Happy Father's Day. We need more men like you.
There's a whole load of hand wringing about the 'male loneliness epidemic but you just elucidated all the reasons for it. The difference between then and now is that women don't need a man economically anymore - we can have our own bank account/credit card/mortgage - so we don't need to saddle ourselves with one of these immature, entitled man-babies. Why would we??? Men have to evolve in the same way women have, not be angry about having to grow the fuck up.
I'd like to say I had a good, derisive laugh at this, Paul, but I've been Claire, you see.
I've dealt with the angry men, the violent ones. I've walked fast in the dark with my keys as claws, I've covered my drink. I've had my much anticipated social events ruined by some drunk chucklefuck in myriad ways.
I've been going about my business at my place of business at any place of business at past places of business minding my own business only to have that wrecked by some entitled fuckwit who can't get through his day without feeling an accomplished sad-boner from making some woman miserable.
I've been told what to do what to say - that's not ladylike - what to wear who to speak with what to laugh at - why aren't you laughing, it was just a joke - what to like who to love how to think how to be what to believe until I believed it all.
All because one man, eons ago, then a series of men, couldn't fill a gaping hole with anything but the tears of those they oppress. Out of what? Jealousy?
As I grew, I thought that things were getting better. I unshackled. I did get better. But things? No. Now look.
I always cry and I often laugh, but this one had me doing both of those at once!!! That shit about anger IS my brother and the stuff about Tim Walz IS my husband and I am lighter somehow for reading it.
I just came back here because I remembered what the title is ☺️ and I need to clarify myself a little. When I said 100%, I was referring to the reasons many men end up believing really harmful things that aren’t true. I wholeheartedly agree that in our society, many men have been seriously shortchanged, developmentally harmed, and neglected by the limitations imposed upon what a “man” is or should be. That needs to change as soon as possible. Hopefully it was clear that I meant that, but I may have been a bit too cryptic with my first comment of enthusiastic agreement. 😆😬 I love you, men, and you deserve better than what society as a whole typically does or tries to do to you.
Just great!! Excellent. Happy Father’s Day, Paul! A terrific read. Should be recommended reading in uni before first semester. It’s timeless. (Did you ever write that bit about Claire before? I would have had the locksmith over quickly. That kind of anger leads to physical abuse.)
Yes--I revamped and revised two short essays and added them to this. I wrote both of them a few months ago, but they seemed to fit the mood of this piece, so I recycled them <3
Paul Crenshaw for President! HA! I know that's the last thing you'd ever want, but thank you for saying all of this. And out loud for other people to read, no less!
If only you could print this entire essay in little tiny booklets, kind of like those miniature copies of the Constitution people carry around to whip out and correct you on some point. I’d like to have these on hand to distribute wordlessly to so many people. So many.
SO many. I feel that so hard. 👏🏻💜
I’ll be in my laboratory all day working on my cloning machine. When it’s done, I’m putting you in it first.
This is, of course hysterical, and accurate. But it’s also the kind of vulnerability and self awareness that’s going to move us forward. That line about submissiveness and how much they (men) must hate women.....whew dude. Fire.
If big sis is happy, everybody is happy. I appreciate your comments so much <3
Paul, all I will say is this: THANK YOU. This is so validating and refreshing to read from a man. I will give you a Hallelujah and a Happy Father's Day. We need more men like you.
I just laughed out loud in a house full of sleeping people: "Everywhere I see men in big trucks." Time to make merch. I'd buy the mug.
My merch store grows. I'll add that one to "If you can't love people leave them the fuck alone," which I am going to make and market. . .some day <3
Another to add to the store:
"angers are temporary and love is eternal"
Although, in truth, the way you turn a phrase is really too good for crass commercialism.
Good morning. Enjoyable read and spot on. Thank you. Happy Father’s Day.
And to you!
There's a whole load of hand wringing about the 'male loneliness epidemic but you just elucidated all the reasons for it. The difference between then and now is that women don't need a man economically anymore - we can have our own bank account/credit card/mortgage - so we don't need to saddle ourselves with one of these immature, entitled man-babies. Why would we??? Men have to evolve in the same way women have, not be angry about having to grow the fuck up.
Well said.
Loved the piece btw. Sent it to friends.
I appreciate it—glad you found some value in it <3
I'd like to say I had a good, derisive laugh at this, Paul, but I've been Claire, you see.
I've dealt with the angry men, the violent ones. I've walked fast in the dark with my keys as claws, I've covered my drink. I've had my much anticipated social events ruined by some drunk chucklefuck in myriad ways.
I've been going about my business at my place of business at any place of business at past places of business minding my own business only to have that wrecked by some entitled fuckwit who can't get through his day without feeling an accomplished sad-boner from making some woman miserable.
I've been told what to do what to say - that's not ladylike - what to wear who to speak with what to laugh at - why aren't you laughing, it was just a joke - what to like who to love how to think how to be what to believe until I believed it all.
All because one man, eons ago, then a series of men, couldn't fill a gaping hole with anything but the tears of those they oppress. Out of what? Jealousy?
As I grew, I thought that things were getting better. I unshackled. I did get better. But things? No. Now look.
Just look.
I always cry and I often laugh, but this one had me doing both of those at once!!! That shit about anger IS my brother and the stuff about Tim Walz IS my husband and I am lighter somehow for reading it.
Thank you. I am so glad I found you, Paul. 💜
I feel like I've been dropped on my head some days with all the nonsense. Thanks as always for your comments--I truly appreciate them <3
100%. All of this.
I just came back here because I remembered what the title is ☺️ and I need to clarify myself a little. When I said 100%, I was referring to the reasons many men end up believing really harmful things that aren’t true. I wholeheartedly agree that in our society, many men have been seriously shortchanged, developmentally harmed, and neglected by the limitations imposed upon what a “man” is or should be. That needs to change as soon as possible. Hopefully it was clear that I meant that, but I may have been a bit too cryptic with my first comment of enthusiastic agreement. 😆😬 I love you, men, and you deserve better than what society as a whole typically does or tries to do to you.
Nicely put. I like that.
Good gosh this wonderful. Amen!
Hallelujah!
Just great!! Excellent. Happy Father’s Day, Paul! A terrific read. Should be recommended reading in uni before first semester. It’s timeless. (Did you ever write that bit about Claire before? I would have had the locksmith over quickly. That kind of anger leads to physical abuse.)
Yes--I revamped and revised two short essays and added them to this. I wrote both of them a few months ago, but they seemed to fit the mood of this piece, so I recycled them <3
Paul Crenshaw for President! HA! I know that's the last thing you'd ever want, but thank you for saying all of this. And out loud for other people to read, no less!
The bar is pretty low for presidents these days, sadly <3
I think you should take this message on a cross country tour. Post it widely. Screens and streets. This is the failure of character that will end us.
I could be a de motivational speaker, demotivating terrible behavior 💙
Hell, I'll give you a hallelujah *and* and amen!
I must applaud your visual pun. Dick Picks. Very funny