Devin T. Robinson X, also known as “Egypt,” the world renowned poet, lectured at San Diego State on Sept. 17 about masculinity and the friend zone. He spoke of his life, the nature of relationships, what it means to be masculine and of how to get out and avoid the friend zone.
“What invalidates or validates a man’s masculinity?” Egypt said in his novel. “If he cries, is depressed, loses his job or is confused about his future, does that injure his masculinity? What if he likes men, does that decrease his masculinity? What if he’s abusive to women or womanizes, will that increase his masculinity?”
We often talk about women and feminism. We talk about what it means to be a woman and the plight women face to get what they want out of society. We neglect to talk about what it means to be a man and how men are vital to the plight toward gender equality, especially in regard to everyday relations on campus.
In recent news, Emma Watson, the “Harry Potter” star and Ivy League graduate, addressed the United Nations with a speech about equal rights. She spoke of feminism being something of importance to both men and women.
She proclaimed equality, primarily in the hands of men, would be granted to society as a whole once society broke the gender molds.
Men are allowed to feel and be emotional just as women are, and women are allowed to be strong just as men are. Throughout recent university-related events, it has become clear SDSU falls short when it comes to gender equality.
For instance, the recent sexual assault cases at SDSU demonstrate how much still needs to be done.
Students have voiced their concerns at rallies. A sign at the Sept. 20 protest really resonated with the masses — it read: “It is men’s responsibility to make spaces safe for women.”
The male students at SDSU need to step it up. Many don’t believe it’s their responsibility to make our school a safe place for the female population. Although they claim female students (and women in general) deserve to feel and be safe, they don’t think it’s their responsibility to make it a reality.
Gender equality needs to be the effort of both sides. Equality isn’t a woman thing, it’s a human thing.
Like Egypt said, what validates and invalidates masculinity? Does womanizing make a man manly? Does liking men make a man less masculine?
Sometimes, men believe giving women equality, like equal pay, takes away from what they’ve worked so hard to earn.
This contradiction is exemplified by a situation some might recognize. A male student dates multiple girls, but is praised by his friend for being a ladies man. But a girl who dates an equal amount doesn’t receive the same admiration from her peers. She is ridiculed and shamed, and if something tragic were to happen to her, she brought it upon herself.
Either men should be subjected to the same rules, or society should make an effort to reduce the burden of the double standard.
It is the men who give women proper respect who should be considered masculine. They don’t infringe on the rights of others to feel more manly and they choose to coexist with female students.
We like those guys. Be those guys.
It’s masculine to believe in equality for all genders. It’s masculine to be respectful of women, no matter how they’re dressed or present themselves. It’s masculine to be a feminist.
