Why It’s Wrong For Pundits To Tell President Obama ‘Real Men Don’t Cry’

Last week, President Obama introduced executive action to curb gun violence, a historic moment for our nation, which continues to be ravaged by mass shootings. The President’s tears punctuated his remarks as he spoke about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Yet, despite the gravity of the issue, certain media outlets chose to mock President Obama for showing emotion. The message that these pundits are sending is clear: “real men don’t cry” – even in the face of tragedy. This damaging narrative perpetuates a harmful stereotype about what it means to “Be a Man” in America and contributes to a culture of disconnectedness and violence.

In our media, classrooms, and boardrooms, boys and young men are taught that instead of having healthy, meaningful feelings and relationships, they should instead repress their true selves and play into the hyper-masculine stereotypes of dominance, stoicism, and aggression, regardless of the cost to themselves and society. With more than 90 percent of mass shootings and 78 percent of suicides committed by males, violence is not just a policy problem – it’s a cultural problem that we can no longer ignore.

That’s why this week, we encourage you to watch The Mask You Live In trailer with the boys and young men in your life and have a conversation about what it means to “Be a Man.” Together, we must challenge limiting gender stereotypes to improve the lives of our children and build a stronger country.


DemDebate#AskHerMore on the Red Carpet and at the Presidential Debates

Thanks for joining us on the Golden Globes red carpet! Your voice made all the difference. Don’t forget to bring #AskHerMore to the Republican debate this Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on FOX Business and the Democratic debate this Sunday on NBC at 9 p.m. ET. Learn more and join us!


#NotBuyingIt Win: FOX32 Chicago Apologizes for Sexist Comments

Thanks to you, FOX32 Chicago apologized within hours for producer Dan Salamone’s sexist instructions that women reporters shouldn’t wear hats despite freezing temperatures because they “look better without.” Learn more about the #NotBuyingIt campaign here!


From Around the Web

“We’re really seeing a sea change in the conversation on the red carpet.” – Jennifer Siebel Newsom discussing the impact of #AskHerMore, via NPR’s Affiliate KPCC

  • ATTN: This Student Brilliantly Turned the Tables on Her Body Shaming Teachers
  • Clutch Magazine Online: No, Jaden Smith’s New Louis Vuitton Campaign Isn’t A Ploy to Emasculate Black Men
  • The Daily Beast: Tyga Is a Creepy Predator Who Is Attracted to Underage Girls
  • Glamour: Why the Golden Globes Red Carpet Was a Win for Feminism
  • Vox: Mark Zuckerberg’s Perfect Response To The Idea That Girls Should ‘Date The Nerd’
  • The Washington Post: President Obama Cried In Public Today. That’s A Good Thing.
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Amandla Stenberg via Miss Representation‘s Instagram