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Let's Commemorate the Chilean miners
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2010-10-11 20:46
Within the next week all the miners who have been trapped underground for over 2 months in Chile will hopefully be rescued. Miraculously it appears that there will be no loss of life and, hopefully, no lasting physical effects, although the psychological effects of being trapped for so long may take longer to come to terms with. We frequently refer to the sacrifices which men make by undertaking hard, dirty and often dangerous jobs and the fact that well over 90% of all workplace fatalities are men. It is high time that we recognised these men in the same way that women are fond of recognising their achievements. The men's movement should designate the anniversary of the date on which the last miner is freed as the day on which we recognise these men. What better day to choose than the anniversary of an event which could so easily have been an appalling tragedy, but which will now be a cause for celebration?
Malcolm - Cardiff, Wales
(Submitted and published originally as Letter to the Editor on www.glennsacks.com)
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Comments
An Excellent Suggestion
Yes, we need to celebrate the contributions of men. The list of their contributions is long, and many of these men hardly ever get acknowledged or appreciated. We used to do this on Father's day, but that's a joke of a holiday these days. Besides, many men take great risks, and they are not fathers. So it is not about fathers really, it is about being male.
Our society takes for granted that men will, day after day, continue to risk their lives in dangerous jobs, front lines military service, skyscraper construction, and in other high-risk areas, doing things that women wouldn't think of doing, just because they are men. This could be a very successful PR campaign, with an equality message subtly implied, or perhaps not so subtly implied.
Great idea. The act of
Great idea. The act of being freed from having been trapped underground is a good image for the plight of men today. Nice!
a better negotiation for equality
"Our society takes for granted that men will, day after day, continue to risk their lives in dangerous jobs, front lines military service, skyscraper construction, and in other high-risk areas, doing things that women wouldn't think of doing, just because they are men. This could be a very successful PR campaign, with an equality message subtly implied, or perhaps not so subtly implied."
Just because they are men... there is the tricky part. By honoring men for risking themselves and using that to gain respect for men might be sending the wrong message. Its like saying that real men are self sacrificing and only when men are risking themselves and providing great service to society are they worthy of respect.
I think Paul Elam said it well here. Basically men are constantly being treated as utilities. I think its good to honor those men but somewhat ill fated to bolster huge deeds and ask for equality... I think its better to talk about the sacrifices of men, 93% of workplace fatalities and 98% military fatalities, as unfair to men, WHICH IS TRUE. At the same time you will be asserting how valueble men are.
Many feminists (and more) wont care about men's sacrifice but if you tell them you don't want to be the only one doing it anymore (as in women need do their share) they will care, fast!
Not suggesting role lock-in
Fundueguy - I am not suggesting role lock-in, where we underline the belief that men are only worthy of honor and respect if they take great risks. To the contrary, I was suggesting the PR campaign underline the unfairness of the current gender role expectations, underline the risk/reward equations for both sexes. Let's highlight what Paul Elam says, that men are "utilities" (which is just one notch above slave).
The Sad Part Is.....
I think its a great idea also, but the sad part is, it probably won't happen. In this fast paced world, its already yesturdays news. If they where women, however, that may happen. Its just like the breast cancer thing, all month, all you hear is breast cancer. I think its great, that breast cancer is taken very seriously, as it should be. However, breast cancer is not the only cancer out there. Men have cancers too, very serious ones, testicular, prostate, and even though there are dates to honor these cancers (atleast testicular) they don't come even close to the popularity and level of breast cancer. Even when they do, they make a joke about it, like "ball" day or something, not giving even half the respect thats given to women. So, yea, good idea, but don't hold your breathe. lol
Ricky