Showing posts with label brotherly love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brotherly love. Show all posts

12 January 2012

The Bro-ing of America

I know this isn't a new trend by any stretch of the imagination. Terms like bromance have long since entered our lexicon but I ask you: does everything that guys like to do have to be "bro"-ed out?

Because of our strictly defined gender roles, whenever men get interested in something that isn't deemed "masculine" we have to give it special name. It started out innocently enough with words like "metrosexual" (cause G-d forbid a man like to get the dirt from under his nails WHERE IT BELONGS!). Then the idea that two men might like to hang out with each other became a very affront to our sensibilities and the term "bromance" was coined. (No homo, though). Now because men are out of work, they've taken to doing the shopping and this becomes a phenomenon requiring special "man aisles" at the store. And heterosexual men have started to get botox to stave off aging and it's called "bro-tox" (see video below). Check out Urban Dictionary's extensive list of bro terminology to see how pervasive it's become.

A lot of this comes out of a need to constantly reinforce manhood in an era where men are moving into stereotypically feminine arenas. If we call if "bro-tox" it's not for women (though it's the same exact procedure). If I'm a "manny" or a "murse" I can retain my masculinity and earn a paycheck, which I couldn't do if I was a just nurse or a nanny. And some of it is borne out of our news media. In order to make things "newsworthy" and eye-catching, we have to dissect issues upon genderized (or racialized, or sexualized) lines because that's simple. And hey if we can come up with an all-encompassing terms that suits our needs even better.

I, for one, am rejecting the "bro-ing" of America. It's played, it's reductive and it pushes us further into boxes. Let it go, bro.


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26 July 2011

It Was a Day at the Beach


Today NY returned to "normal" summer i.e. hot but not sweltering and perfect weather for the beach. I went to Riis Beach to catch up with some of my brown Brown friends. Every time I go to the beach it only reinforces that my life would be so much better if I could live it in a bikini. Also the section of the beach that I was in is pretty much nudity accepted so question: what is proper nude beach etiquette? Example: I found myself staring at one girl's tattoos but I sure it also looked like I was staring at her boobs. Now I could have gone up to her and explained that I was just looking at her tattoos but I also feel like anybody you approach on a nude beach seems sleazy. Thoughts?

Afterwards, I showered and changed in record time so I could meet my friend Lionel at W 4th. Of course I was still late and starving by the time I got there. We headed to Chinatown for some delicious BBQ porkchops. The best thing about hanging out with Lionel is that he knows every off the beaten path ethnic food place in NY which means I always have a good walk and amazing food when we're together. We got caught in the rain which was fun. I'm continually enamoured with the mercurial quality of NY summers. It's an aspect I miss.

Finally I returned home and my baby brother had just returned from his trip to the mid-West. My brother is a continual source of annoyance but he can be pretty cute too. He gave me a huge hug and a really sweet birthday card. I do love him (as he matures I also start to like him). Tomorrow I'm prepping for Montreal and dropping in on some folks before I head out. Next stop on the tour :)

Btw if you're not watching Awkaward on MTV or TeenNick's revival of beloved '90'a shows like Doug you are seriously missing out.