WHAT GILLETTE’S NEW AD TELLS US ABOUT TODAY’S MEN
If you aren’t aware of the controversy that occurred over Gillettes ad, "We Believe: The Best Men Can Be" not too long ago, basically, men took offense to the Ad because the Ad describes what to expect from a man nowadays- partaking in bullying, committing sexual harassment and assaults, and masking immoral actions as the nature of manhood. As a man of God, I regret to inform you that this is true. This is what is to be expected from Non-God fearing men. Now, for most God-fearing men, this isn’t a surprise and this is something we’ve known for years (more on that later).
First off, let's talk about the ad. If you’ve watched the ad, it starts off mentioning a couple of news headlines, “Bullying… The Me Too Movement… Toxic Masculinity”. If you aren’t familiar with the term “Toxic Masculinity”, The Good Men project defines it as “a narrow and repressive description of manhood, designating manhood as defined by violence, sex, status and aggression. It’s the cultural ideal of manliness, where strength is everything while emotions are a weakness; where sex and brutality are yardsticks by which men are measured, while supposedly “feminine” traits—which can range from emotional vulnerability to simply not being hypersexual—are the means by which your status as “man” can be taken away.”. However, this term is a whole other discussion in itself. These are all traits of men that have been denounced on social media as of late. The Me Too Movement is a movement composed of sexual harassment victims who have come out to expose men who have sexually harassed them. The ad then depicts the way men don’t intervene in these immoral events. But more importantly the way the children and youth pay attention to the way men don’t intervene. After establishing the faults of today’s manhood, the ad then shifts it’s tone and calls upon men to act on these faults; the ad calls for men to stand up against bullying and sexual harassment. To change the definition of what it is to be a man nowadays.
Now, where’s the controversy? The argument derives from the men that feel attacked. Some men see this ad as an attack on men and their masculinity, which villianizes them. Some men are going as far as denouncing the company and pledging to never use it again. Some men feel that the ad is wrong and interpret the ad’s message as “being a man is toxic and evil” instead of “there are toxic aspects that some men have adopted that should be changed.”.
However, Jared Monroe, a conservative political commentator, made a great argument, “The problem with our country is NOT ‘toxic masculinity’. The problem is that too few are talking about and modeling BIBLICAL masculinity.”. In other words, we wouldn’t be struggling with sexual harassment and bullying if men were taught how to be a man according to the word of God.
Furthermore, what does the Bible tell us, Ephesians 5: 1-11, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”.
As men of God, we have no right to take offense to this ad because the masculinity they are preaching is the masculinity that God calls us to adopt. This ad offends those who feel attacked or guilty. As men of God, we have been called to be the light (Matthew 5: 14-16) and as Monroe stated, we must demonstrate what it is to be a man of God. We must be the example and like Terry Crews, the actor who was featured in the ad speaking up about sexual harassment because he too was sexually harassed, said, “Hold other men accountable for their actions”.