Blog 4: Gender and Cultural Diversity between European and Indigenous Societies

From the early interactions between European societies and Indigenous societies, it is clear that different cultures and gender expressions. The documentary Trans in Trumpland: Idaho by Tony Zosherafatain and the text Gender and Cultural Diversity in the Early Contact Period by Keough and Campbell, illuminate the comparisons between Indigenous and European colonial gender views and cultural diversity. Through these contrasts, we see how Indigenous cultures helped people like Shane and Glenn be open with their sexuality and identity. Conversely, European perspectives in modern times appear to overlook or disregard this sense of openness. This analysis underscores both the liberating effects of Indigenous cultural acceptance and the persistent challenges faced in Western societies due to cultural norms and gender biases.

The chapter Gender and Cultural Diversity in the Early Contact Period by Keough and Campbell begins by talking about how European societies differ tremendously from indigenous societies, especially regarding gender and cultural diversity. This is shown when Father Paul Le Jeune, a Jesuit missionary “commented with surprise on the gender and family relationships he observed among the Montagnais-Naskapi (Innu) people he was trying to convert.” For instance, when he tried to convince a Montagnais father to enroll his son in a Catholic school, he was surprised by the father’s refusal, as the mother ultimately decided against it. This demonstrates that the French missionaries were unsettled by the influence Aboriginal women held within their families because this differed from the patriarchal religious and family system they upheld (Keough and Campbell 1). Following this, as shown by the example provided earlier, it is clear that European societies follow a patriarchal society and a strict family system where men are superior to women. However, this is not the case for Indigenous societies. To elaborate, in Indigenous societies, the assignment of roles to women and men was not based on gender or stereotypical assumptions. For example, the idea that women were solely responsible for kitchen duties or childcare, as typically associated with European culture, was not prevalent. Women and men were treated equally. To illustrate, in Aboriginal Cultures, “there was a sexual division of labour, but men’s and women’s roles were complementary and equally essential” (Keough and Campbell 2). This proves that there is less emphasis on strict and predefined roles based on gender, which shows that a woman’s job is equally as important as a male’s role. In essence, the main difference between Europeans and First Nations is how they perceive gender. While the First Nations see gender more as an identity, the Europeans see it as a social hierarchy. In other words, they see it as how an individual should be treated. 

Secondly, in Indigenous societies, the understanding and acceptance of individuals who identify as gay or transgender vary from European perspectives. This is another difference between these two societies. In indigenous societies, there were people called Two-spirit individuals which “is an umbrella term that covers a diversity of experiences across indigenous cultures, which themselves have their own conceptual framework and language for describing it.” (Keough and Campbell 4). Two-spirit individuals embody a diverse variety of ways of expressing themselves. They are people who embody both masculine and feminine qualities and energy. As well, they are people who enjoy the liberty of being able to marry or engage in relationships with either gender. Therefore, because they are open to a relationship with either gender, it illustrates how Two-spirit individuals facilitate a more fluid identity, transcending traditional gender norms. It differs from the LGBTQ+ spectrum because two-spirit individuals are not a community that has a variety of gender identities, they are very specific to the indigenous culture and spirituality. In indigenous societies, the cultural and spiritual embrace of two-spirit people creates a sense of comfort and belonging. This can differ from some European cultures because, although there is an LGBTQ+ community, not everyone accepts them for who they are.

Shane Ortega is a great example of this. He is a retired disabled veteran and lives in Pocatello, Idaho. He identifies as a Two-Spirit individual and feels he has the freedom of gender expression within his community. Hence, being indigenous allowed Shane to have spiritual guidance and helped him find his identity and masculinity. Furthermore, since these communities are very spiritually inclined, treat each other equally and support each other, it shows that Native communities allow for a confirmation of gender diversity. As well, it inspires a world free of discrimination and hate since everyone is accepted. However, this is not the case for Western World communities. To support this, Shane said, “Native history has freedoms, educations, and spirituality that are not even in tune in the greater capitalistic Western World” (Trans in Trumpland). This shows that in Shane’s opinion, Natives feel connected and they have a lot of freedom, however, in the Western World, they don’t have this because of the way their society works. In the Western world, there appears to be a lack of acknowledgement of gender diversity and inspiration for a world free of discrimination. For instance, as mentioned earlier, it is known that in European societies, they have specific gender and social norms to adhere to and a social hierarchy. Clearly, they have very different values and cultures than the Natives. Because of this, there is a lack of fluidity in people’s identities. This is because if they don’t follow these norms, they will not be accepted by society. This explains why European societies try to assimilate and dominate other countries. They feel that they are superior to others, which is why they pursue colonization. In the documentary Trans and Trumpland: Idaho, Shane and his people talk and express their feelings about the effects of colonization. For example, Shane mentions how he believes that no matter which political party you are voting for, they are representations of colonization even if they support various identities. I believe he is saying this because no matter what, Americans are the ones who took away their land in 1492 (A&E Television Networks 1). It was the Native people’s land however, their rights and culture were taken away because of colonization. Moreover, Shane believes Trump is an exact embodiment of this colonization. Not only did their land get colonized but now, Trump wants to get rid of Transgender individuals to serve in the U.S. military. Trump wrote in a Twitter post “… Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.” (Trans in Trumpland: Idaho). Shane was kicked out of the US military after transitioning during Trump’s election in 2016. He feels like his rights are getting taken away. Overall, the various examples and comparisons between the two societies, along with the discussions about Shane and his community views on colonization, illustrate that even in the modern day, Indigenous people don’t get to express themselves freely. It proves that the legacy of these European worldviews manifests in contemporary issues, particularly in the lack of full acceptance and embrace of gender expression. 

Sometime after the colonization, Europeans felt threatened by the Indigenous ideas. Because of this, they wanted to assimilate all indigenous children so that they did not grow up to have indigenous views. To do so, the Canadian government took the kids away from their parents and forced them into residential schools. They were forbidden from speaking their languages and practising their cultures. They were also extremely poorly nourished and went through horrible experiences including physical and sexual abuse. “Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission estimated that more than 6,000 children died while at residential schools.” (USW Canadian National Office ). These residential schools not only impact the kids who suffered but also the future generations. For instance, in Glenn’s presentation, he mentioned that his dad was an indigenous who was forced into the horrors of the residential schools. His dad never grew up practicing indigenous culture because of this. As a result, Glenn didn’t know much about his indigenous side growing up. He knew very little but as he started getting older, he got more into his indigenous side. Since he began connecting with his culture, he felt comfortable enough to express his identity as indigenous queer through art related to indigenous heritage. For instance, he made surreal landscapes that spoke to his own identity and place. Also, he spent 5 years collecting a ton of images to show how white people came to be. This just shows that through connecting with his culture, he was able to express who he is and tell the story of his ancestor’s experiences through art.

In conclusion, by comparing and contrasting the Western World and Indigenous societies, we gain insight as to why gender and cultural diversity in Indigenous societies helped people like Shane and Glenn be open with their sexuality and identity. However, we also gain insight into how such openness is often lacking in the Western world because of their different cultures, societal norms and gender diversity. 

Works Cited

“Why Columbus Day Courts Controversy.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/news/columbus-day-controversy. Accessed 14 May 2024. 

Yousfi, Meriem. “There’s No Denying It: Indigenous Children Suffered and Died at Residential Schools.” USW Canada, 14 Nov. 2023, usw.ca/theres-no-denying-it-indigenous-children-suffered-and-died-at-residential-schools/#:~:text=Separated%20from%20families%20and%20communities,died%20while%20at%20residential%20schools.

Glenn Gear, presenter. 29 Apr. 2024, Montreal, Vanier College.

Keough, Willeen G. and Lara Campbell “Gender and Cultural Diversity in the Early Contact Period.” Gender History: Canadian Perspectives, Oxford University Press, 2014, pp. 16–28 

Zosherafatain, Tony. “Trans in Trumpland: Idaho.” Kanopy, The Film Sales Company, http://www.kanopy.com/en/vaniercollege/video/11561418. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024

The issues of racism in North America

Throughout history, black people have faced too many injustices, racism, oppression and even hatred. Although racism towards black people has become less extreme than it used to be, it’s still very apparent. This can be understood when reflecting upon Desmond Cole’s text The Skin We’re In and the film Get Out by Jordan Peele. While Desmond Cole focused more on giving examples of black people’s experiences, Jordan Peels movie used the plot of the movie to serve as a powerful allegory. Despite the text and film’s different circumstances and situations, by examining the content of both works, we gain an enhanced understanding of the systemic challenges faced by black communities in Canada and the US. Ultimately, these works revealed the injustices faced by the black people’s community by showing their different experiences. Therefore, this essay argues that while Cole’s text emphasizes individual experiences and Peele’s film serves as a powerful allegory, both these works provide valuable perspectives and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding race and racism in North America in different ways.

To begin, Desmond Cole’s text focuses on black people’s experiences and their historical background by giving examples and instances of what they have faced. These instances serve as a way to demonstrate the injustices of people of colour, which contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding race and racism in Canada. One example given is based on Desmond’s neighbour John. John, who owns an art gallery in Canada, was minding his own business on New Year’s Eve until suddenly, for no reason, he got attacked by the police. John’s experience of getting attacked by the police is simply unjust and wrong. He was just in his art gallery on New Year’s Eve having fun when the police attacked him. From this, we learn that police in Canada often assume that Black people harm simply because of racism and the way they look. Therefore, Cole’s text underscores the vulnerability shared by all black individuals in Canada’s society. This is because the narrative reveals the challenging truths of enduring perpetual surveillance and suspicion, where black individuals are constantly monitored and policed in public areas. This incident not only highlights the immediate brutality inflicted upon black individuals but also unveils deeper societal issues ingrained in Canada’s history of racial bias. Expanding upon this aspect, the narrative demonstrates how racial biases and social stereotypes lead to unjust treatment and violence against black individuals. For instance, Desmond Cole says “My stomach somersaulted in my belly. In these moments of shock I sometimes ask “Why?” but it’s more of a lament than a question. I already know why police choose, over and over and over again, to intimidate and attack and harm and kill Black people in my city, in Canada. It has nothing to do with any single incident, any presumed provocation or threat or misunderstanding. The police are just doing their job: a central responsibility of policing has always been to discipline Black people on behalf of the ruling class.” When Cole asks “Why?”, it’s not because he doesn’t know why it’s happening, he already understands. He knows that the police violence against Black people is a big problem that goes way back. Instead, it’s more like he’s saying, “Why does this keep happening?” The narrator feels powerless and sad because he knows it’s not just about one incident or a misunderstanding, it’s about how society (Canada in this case) is set up to mistreat Black people. As a result, we can understand that the police are just doing what they’ve always done. The police are simply enforcing rules on Black people to keep the white people in power and the black people oppressed, which reflects broader societal issues. This reflects broader societal issues because practices such as racial profiling and aggressive policing tactics contribute to the marginalization and disempowerment of Black people. These actions reinforce the historical legacies of systemic racism and inequality. Therefore, it is clear in Desmond’s texts that such brutality is not rooted in isolated incidents or misunderstandings but rather stems from a historical legacy of policing designed to maintain the dominance of the ruling class over marginalized communities. In essence, Cole’s text points out the deep-seated inequalities in Canadian society. By connecting contemporary experiences of black individuals to historical racism, Cole offers valuable insights that enrich our understanding of the complexities surrounding race and racism.

Secondly, Jordan Peele’s award-winning movie tries to push against stereotypes of Black men. The movie’s plot serves as a powerful allegory that reflects the real-life experiences of many people of colour as they navigate interactions within the dominant White culture. Get Out is a thriller that’s about Chris, a young African American man, who visits his girlfriend Rose’s family for the first time. Initially, Chris feels unsettled by the predominantly white guests and the peculiar behaviour of the black servants. For example, when the Armitage family had their garden party it was filled with white people. However, when he finally saw another black man he was happy. Unfortunately, this man turned out to be very whitewashed and had strange behaviour. Chris later finds out that this family is psychotic. They try to kidnap young black people to subject them to a surgical procedure where half of their brain is removed and replaced with the brain of an elderly white person. Throughout the movie, we gain a deeper understanding of the racist cultural background experienced by Black people in the US. This is achieved by highlighting key aspects such as microaggressions, subtle racism, whitewashing, exploitation, and differential treatment. For instance, Chris undergoes differential treatment when he gets stopped by the police. When he got stopped on his way to Rose’s family’s house, Rose stepped in and told off the officer for racially profiling Chris. Initially, it seems like Rose is standing up against racial stereotypes. However, in reality, it shows how Rose’s white privilege protects her from facing the same suspicion and risk as Chris. This points out the unfair bias and discrimination by police and society as a whole. Moreover, the fact that the Armitage family takes young black people’s brains and implants a white elderly person’s brain is a metaphor for systemic racism and exploitation. The fact that white people are taking over the bodies of black people is a way of showing how black people have been dehumanized and treated as objects throughout history. It’s like how black people were enslaved, forced to work, and used for medical experiments without agreeing to it. Thereupon, Chris’s experiences in Get Out highlight the vulnerability and threat Black masculinity faces from societal stereotypes and systemic racism. Overall, Get Out challenges stereotypes about Black men and shows how black people face racism in predominantly white spaces. The movie talks about themes like unfair treatment, dehumanization, and exploitation through allegories and little experiences Chris underwent. Therefore, through its portrayal of these themes, Get Out becomes more than just a story, it carries a profound message. This underlying message enriches our comprehension of the racial challenges faced by black individuals in the US, as well as deepening our insight into the broader cultural context of racism experienced by black communities.

In conclusion, through both Get Out by Jordan Peele and the text The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole, the audience has a more comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding race and racism in North America. Both contributed to a deeper comprehension of the racist cultural context and exposed the injustices endured by Black individuals in the North through distinct encounters. Notably, in Cole’s text, the experiences of Black men like John, who is unjustly attacked by police, demonstrate how systemic racism undermines their sense of safety, autonomy, and dignity. The constant surveillance and suspicion directed towards Black men perpetuate a narrative of criminality and inferiority. This deteriorated their sense of agency and control over their own lives. Similarly, in Get Out, Chris’s encounters with the Armitage family, who seek to exploit and control his body, symbolize the historical dehumanization and emasculation of Black men. Therefore, both works challenge traditional norms of masculinity by depicting Black men as vulnerable to exploitation and violence. This is because it contradicts the stereotype of Black men as inherently strong and invulnerable, thereby disrupting conventional ideas about masculinity. These portrayals help us see how race and masculinity intertwine, revealing how systemic racism influences how Black men perceive their masculinity and humanity.

Works Cited: 

Peele, Jordan. Get Out. Universal Pictures, 2017.

Cole, Desmond. The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power. Doubleday Canada, 2020.

Blog 3: Gaston shapes societal perceptions of masculinity

Beauty and the Beast- Gaston

In the animated film Beauty and the Beast, the antagonist Gaston embodies a stereotypical male who emphasizes the expectations and gender norms every man admires and aspires to follow. This is shown in the short clip when the little man says “Every guy here loved to be you Gaston […] there’s no one in town as admired as you, you’re everyone’s favourite guys”. This portrayal of Gaston’s actions and appearance significantly contributes to shaping societal perceptions of masculinity since he is the ideal man. Through his behaviour and physical attributes such as physical strength, confidence and dominance, Gaston embodies traditional ideals of masculinity, reinforcing commonly held beliefs about what it means to be a man in society. In essence, these traditional behaviours and attributes allow for an analysis of how this particular portrayal of masculinity influences societal perceptions. With that being acknowledged, he nonetheless serves to highlight the themes of toxic masculinity and the entitlement of a conventional male.

To begin, Gaston is portrayed as someone who is very physically strong and manly since he excels in activities like lifting weights. This emphasis on being physically strong reinforces the stereotype that men should be tough and muscular. This can perpetuate harmful gender norms because if men aren’t muscular and strong, they will feel insecure and not masculine enough. Moreover, Gaston shows how he exerts dominance and control, particularly when Gaston is trying to pursue Belle. Despite Belle’s rejection of Gaston, Gaston expected Belle to conform to his desires and pursue him. Since she didn’t, he became very aggravated. This shows how Gaston is very entitled to Belle’s affection and believes he should have her just because he desires her. This illustrates how he doesn’t truly care about Belle’s feelings. In essence, Gaston’s depiction reinforces the idea that being masculine often entails exerting dominance, assertiveness and control over women, which perpetuates harmful gender dynamics. Additionally, it shows how Gaston displays a lack of emotional depth and empathy. He is self-centred and unable to understand that he could be rejected. As a result, he tries to act all confident and hide his feelings. This portrayal suggests that men are encouraged to suppress their emotions and that they should prioritize their desires over others, which reinforces the notion that vulnerability can’t be shown with masculinity. Furthermore, Gaston believes that he is superior to the beast emotionally and due to his physical appearance. This reflects the toxic masculine stereotype that men feel that they have to be superior and dominant compared to other men to be admired or shown affection. As a result, violence and animosity are encouraged, perpetuating the damaging idea that men must always compete with one another to demonstrate their masculinity.

Overall, Gaston contributes to society’s understanding of masculinity due to his traditional behaviours and actions since he follows gender-conventional norms. By embodying traditional ideals of masculinity, such as physical strength, dominance, and entitlement, Gaston reinforces commonly held beliefs about what it means to be a man. However, this portrayal also highlights the presence of harmful stereotypes in popular culture, maintaining expectations of dominance and control over women, as well as a lack of emotional depth. As a result, Gaston perpetuates harmful gender norms and expectations.

Exploring Toxic Masculinity: Insights from “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” and “Inside Incel”

Only a couple of years ago the documentaries “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” & “Inside Incel” were showcased and highlighted the instances of toxic masculinity exhibited by the men. In the first one, white supremacists violently fought for the rise of white nationalism and supremacy. Meanwhile, the second short film delved into the incel community and their online networks, where they propagated their ideologies, animosity, and resentment toward women. Despite their different contexts, both of these films depict men resorting to violence as a means to assert their beliefs, driven by underlying fears and insecurities, in their pursuit to uphold power and dominance.

Firstly, the documentary “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” focuses on the unity of people during a rally that occurred in Charlottesville Virginia in 2017. Two different groups of individuals, each with their own perspective, gathered together and violently fought and disagreed about the rise of white nationalism and supremacy. One group was made up of white supremacists, extremists, neo-Nazis and very right-winged people who all assembled to protest against the removal of Robert E. Lee and to promote their supremacist ideas. In the documentary “Charlottesville: Race and Terror”, the white supremacists talked about how they wanted an “ethnic cleansing of America and the destruction of the American way of life”. The other group fought for equality, togetherness and unity. They are counter-protestors, including a variety of people such as Black Lives Matter activists, LGBTQ+ members, and others who stood against racism, misogyny, homophobia and white supremacy. The white supremacists disagreed with their views so they became violent. They spread memes through the internet to promote their beliefs to get other people to join them as well as spreading hate speeches. Moreover, they were yelling, punching people from the other group, walking with torches, carrying pistols and knives and doing a hit-and-run. One of the tactics they were adopting is that camaraderie and trust are built through activism. However, because of the activism of the other group, the white supremacists felt threatened by the counter-protesters. They feared that they would lose their dominance in society and as a result, their masculinity would lessen. To elucidate, one of the gender norms men often aspire to uphold for a sense of masculinity is dominance. However, if they perceive a lack of this masculinity, they may seek alternative means to compensate for this perceived deficiency. In the case of the documentary, the white supremacists resorted to violence and toxic masculinity to intimidate their opponents and reaffirm their power. This can be linked to Michael Kimmel’s text when he talked about the fear of emasculation and homophobia and stated: “Homophobia is the fear that other men will unmask us, emasculate us, reveal to us and the world that we do not measure up, that we are not real men.” (Kimmel 147). From what I understood, Kimmel’s analysis implies that men’s homophobic behaviour stems from underlying feelings of insecurity and inadequacy regarding their own masculinity, as well as being judged by others. By rejecting homosexuality and femininity, they seek to establish dominance and uphold an image of strength and control. In the context of the documentary, the rejection of opposing viewpoints by the white supremacists reflects their sense of vulnerability and diminished power. This rejection mirrors Kimmel’s idea that men may feel less masculine when confronted with expressions of homosexuality or femininity. Essentially, their rejection serves as a defence mechanism to try and preserve their sense of strength and control. Furthermore, while the documentary primarily focuses on racism and white supremacy, misogyny can present itself in diverse ways within these frameworks. Misogyny intersects with the other forms of discrimination the white supremacists bring on, such as racism and homophobia. All these notions that the white supremacists want to take over collectively contribute to maintaining a system of power and dominance established in gender, race, and sexuality. To illustrate, according to Michael Kimmel’s text, “The fear of being seen as a sissy dominates the cultural definitions of manhood” (Kimmel 147). This explains why the white supremacists are misogynists. They are afraid that if women have power, they will lose their dominance. In essence, the documentary illustrates how the fear of losing dominance in society and a sense of masculinity can drive individuals, such as the white supremacists, to resort to violence and toxic behaviour to assert their power. Kimmel’s concept of men’s fear of emasculation and the resulting behaviours, including homophobia and misogyny provides a framework for understanding the motivations behind the actions of the white supremacists in the documentary. In other words, through Michael Kimmel’s analysis and the documentary “Charlottesville: Race and Terror”, it can be ascertained how racism, misogyny, and other forms of discrimination illustrate how fear and insecurity can drive individuals to resort to violence in an attempt to maintain power and dominance. 

This idea of how men resort to violence as a way to compensate for their insecurities and maintain a sense of dominance is also depicted in the episode “Inside Incel” by CBC’s “The Fifth Estate” published on 27th January 2019, similar to the themes explored in the documentary “Charlottesville: Race and Terror.” It explores the world of incels and their online communities where they spread their beliefs, hate and backlash against women. This episode delves into the background of the incel movement, and the dangerous consequences of the extremist’s views. These men are spreading hate and posting awful things about women because they are lonely, miserable and insecure about themselves for being rejected in the past. Moreover, they are struggling with the idea of masculinity in an environment where they feel their sense of stability has been disrupted. As a result, they crave attention and vengeance due to their emotional state, which leads them to express hatred towards women as a way of coping with their feelings. Therefore, they have a lot of anger and want to feel manly so they express this through violence. By posting videos and doing violent actions, it’s feeding the resentment. This can be supported by Kimmel’s text when he says “Violence is often the single most evident marker of manhood.” (Kimmel 148). By acting violently, they are finally able to feel like they fit into the male stereotypes. This citation shows how men want to adhere to certain gender roles and have to follow certain expectations of masculinity. If they can’t meet these standards, they feel unmanly. Men don’t want to be perceived as unmasculine. Hence, they resort to violence and misogynistic beliefs as a way to regain a sense of power. For instance, Alex Minassian was an incel who was in a white van and jumped the curb and ploughed into numerous women in a way to prove he was more powerful. Within the incel community, acts of violence are glorified, thus promoting this aggression. Overall, the exploration of the incel community in “Inside Incel” and the insights provided by Michael Kimmel’s text on masculinity provide insight into the dangerous consequences of toxic masculinity and the normalization of violence and misogyny, which highlights the urgent need for discussions and intervention to address these harmful ideologies and violence. 

Furthermore, in both documentaries, the group’s normalization of violence and misogyny is deeply troubling and morally unjust, as it can potentially encourage even more individuals to view such behaviours as acceptable and normal. This can be linked to William James’ speech when he spoke about Andrew Tate and his influence on young boys. William explained how Andrew Tate is an influencer online who advocates for male supremacy in society, celebrates violence against women and uses awful sexist terms. Moreover, he explained how at a young age, kids nowadays are following online influencers and are being impacted by them, especially in their educational spaces. Since the kids are getting influenced by wrongful ideas, they are propagating these ideas toward one another in classrooms. This relates to the documentaries content because in both “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” and “Inside Incel,” we can see how people with very strong beliefs use the internet to spread their ideas and get more people on their side. The white supremacists in Charlottesville used social media and online groups to plan their protests and share hateful messages. Similarly, incels are part of online communities where they support each other’s negative views about women and talk about violent things they want to do. Overall, the documentaries and the talk about Andrew Tate illustrate the impact of how people are influenced online by amoral views, influencing individuals’ behaviours accordingly. 

In conclusion, Charlottesville: Race and Terror and Inside Incel both are illustrations of how toxic masculinity manifests in violent and hateful behaviours driven by underlying fears and insecurities. In both instances, men resorted to violence as a means to assert their beliefs and maintain a sense of dominance, whether through advocating white supremacy or expressing misogynistic views within the incel community. Through the lens of Michael Kimmel’s analysis of masculinity, we see how men’s fear of emasculation and the pressure to conform to societal gender norms contribute to violent and misogynistic behaviours. The normalization of violence and misogyny within these communities not only reinforces harmful ideologies but also poses a threat to society by influencing impressionable individuals, as highlighted by William James’ discussion on online influencers like Andrew Tate. To make a real difference, society needs to focus on actions that break down oppressive systems and encourage empathy, respect, and understanding among everyone. This means promoting gender equality, fighting extremism online, and providing support for marginalized communities facing discrimination and violence. These documentaries remind us how harmful toxic masculinity can be and why all of us need to take action together to make the world safer and fairer for everyone. By facing these problems directly and talking openly with empathy, we can make a real difference and build a society where everyone can feel safe and accepted, without fear or prejudice.

Blog 1: The Profound Impact of Societal Expectations of Masculinity

February 20, 2024

Jessica Oehrli

Over the years, there has been progress in reducing the pressure to adhere strictly to gender stereotypes. However, many individuals, particularly men, still feel compelled to conform to these expectations due to societal norms and conventions. The term for these social expectations of being a man is called “Masculinity”. Because of masculinity, there are certain attributes, behaviours, and roles men are allegedly supposed to obey. If men don’t follow these norms, they will be judged or ridiculed by the people around them. This could ultimately affect and harm men’s mental health and make them feel alienated. 

In both works, “Invincible” and “Gomez: Guys Club” in the chapter “Man Up: Cracking the Code of Modern Manhood.”, the central characters both experience masculinity. The main characters engage with and react to the world they live in. Simultaneously, the environment around them influences their perceptions and behaviour, reflecting the societal expectations imposed upon them as young men. For instance, in both stories, the characters live in a Western society, which brings on cultural norms, values, and expectations. In Western cultures, there’s often an emphasis on valuing physical strength, resilience and the capacity to endure challenges, which is shown in both character’s experiences.

To illustrate, Carlos, the main character in Gomez: Guys Club, undergoes internal struggles and conflicts externally as he journeys to find his identity and navigates through social expectations. For example, when Carlos was a young boy, his sister and his aunt were painting their nails and he wanted to join. His aunt laughed it off and explained to him that “that is a kind of thing for girls” (1). She eventually gave in and let him paint his nails. Later on, when he went to play soccer, he experienced masculinity externally. One of his teammates said, “Why are your nails painted?” “Are you a f*ggot”.  This shows that masculinity creates issues not only for Carlos but for men in general. This example proves that if men don’t meet society’s standards, men aren’t allowed to experience and try new things without getting ridiculed. This is an issue because if men aren’t allowed to experience things, how are they going to find their identity? Carlos mentioned that when he thinks back to his childhood, there are many examples and stories of people who were enforcing his masculinity. Because of this, he says he didn’t know where to start. “Manhood is something that is enforced. Growing up, my friends and I would always tell each other to stop being a bitch or a pussy anytime someone showed weakness or vulnerability.” (Gomez 67). I believe that this shows that since masculinity is enforced on them from a very young age, especially in Western societies, men aren’t able to find their own identity, which creates internal struggles. Additionally, men will feel vulnerable and alone if they don’t fit these conformities, which Carlos proves. To illustrate, Carlos mentions how he is very vulnerable like his mom. This is a very feminine quality and makes it hard for Carlos to fit into these boundaries Western society enforces on men. “Staying within the acceptable boundaries of this enforced masculinity (or being “man enough”) was a huge issue for me as a kid, especially because I’ve always been very sensitive.”(Gomez 67). This just shows how Carlos’ character and experiences provide insight into the expectations and perceptions surrounding masculinity in contemporary Western society. In other words, this provides an example of how the story explores the broader implications of the characters’ experiences on contemporary Western masculinity. 

 In the short film “Invincible”, Marc, the main character, is a young boy who lives in a juvenile detention centre. Marc is challenged with the pressure to conform to a masculine identity imposed by the external environment of the institution he’s immersed in, which ultimately imposes internal struggles on Marc. Trapped within the confines of the juvenile system, he experiences a sense of isolation, unable to seek comfort or support. Consequently, he resorts to disruptive behaviour as a coping mechanism, masking his inner chaos in an attempt to assert control over his emotions. Conclusively, the institution shaped Marc since he felt emotionally isolated and unable to have support, which led him to struggle even more mentally. He felt very alone and misunderstood. As a result, his self-esteem became very low and he ended up losing this internal battle. 

In conclusion, the narratives both portray the profound impact of social expectations on the main characters experiences in the Western society. Both characters live in a world where it is enforced to conform to specific gender norms, however this has an impact on men, which causes internal struggles and external pressure that shape their identity and behaviours. Carlos’ experience shows how societal normas strongly affect men, which is evident from his childhood encounters. Additionally, his internal struggles and vulnerability show how men find it difficult to be their authentic selves because of the societal pressure, which harms their mental health and self-esteem. Similarly, in Marc’s story, it shows how being in a juvenile institutional environment reinforces the stereotypical ideas of masculinity, which ultimately makes Marc feel alone since he can’t express his emotions. Therefore, his inner struggles become worse and he doesn’t cope with them in a healthy way. Overall, I feel like these stories prompt us to reconsider the societal expectations of masculinity because we can recognize the psychological impacts on men which was demonstrated by Marc and Carlos. Furthermore, I believe that these characters experiences reflect the changing landscape of masculinity in Western society because by recognizing and making men feel safe to open up, it would create healthier relationships with men themseleves and with other people as well.