What About Sexism? ...from the 'What About Series' [Post 2]

Let’s Talk About Sex-ism, baby!

A while ago, a female friend of mine on Facebook posted a hilarious story about a man who bought his wife a Tazer for protection and decided he just had to try it out on himself. The story itself was written from the POV of the man, so I’m going to assume that the man himself wrote the story. He was “man enough” to make fun of himself.  I know, I know, that was a sexist remark. I got more... so read on...

At the top of the post were the words, “Only a Man Would Try This.”  Trying to keep it real, I thought about this statement and came to the conclusion that it was mostly true. At least I could see more men then women trying something like that. Most all stereotypes are based on truths.

Anyway... what I’m getting to is, some guy commented on my friend’s post, calling her to task about that statement, “Only a Man Would Try This,”  and saying it was sexist and that she knows he is against all sexism whether it is against a woman or a man.

I read his statement and thought, “Why ya gotta make it ‘bout that?” The story was truly funny and not about sexism at all. Why’s he gotta pick up on that one statement? I was unable to keep myself from responding, but keeping in mind it was my friend’s page and the guy was one of her friends, I kept it light out of respect for her. I said something to the effect that it was just a joke and as a woman I can take a joke and I can dish them out, because I’m ‘man enough’ to do that. I ended with a lol, to make sure he knew I was just playing around.

Well he let me know real fast that sexism is not a joke. But, I thought, the story WAS a joke. It was just a funny story. This guy was just looking for a reason to be offended. And then it hit me. Yep, that is exactly one of the biggest things wrong with America right now. The worry of offending people. That is where political correctness came from and our society has become so obsessed with not offending anyone that it is to our own detriment. I don’t believe in PC. To me it’s a silly game and I don’t play it. But it has become more than silly. It has become dangerous. Threatening to our First Amendment.

Okay, let me just say right now before you all get your panties in a wad, (yes, yes, I know, another sexist remark,) that I believe in being tactful and kind. I love people of all races and I am totally against bullies, especially men who bully women. As far as sexism, I believe women should be paid and treated the same as men if they do the same job. I believe that there are brilliant women out there, and brilliant men, and we should all be respectful and kind to each other.

But.... and I guess it’s a big but.... (I don’t like big butts and I cannot lie, lol) men and women ARE different in sooo many ways and the following is what I wanted to really say to that guy on my friend’s page.

“You think that’s sexist? Let me tell you what I really think. I think it’s very unmanly of you to get all whiny over a stupid joke. I want to say ... waaa waaa waaa, why don’t you grow a pair? Taking offense at every little thing, looking for trouble and crying sexism when your gender has been the masters of this world for so long and when your gender is physically stronger (yes they are and I’ll write about that in my next blog,) is a sign of immense weakness. It’s the sign of a man who is so unsure of his own manliness and strength, who lacks so much confidence, that he has to cry over a silly joke.  How many blonde jokes and breast jokes and intelligence jokes, and sexual innuendo jokes do you think women have laughed at? Get over yourself. Man up.”

Okay, so there. I have said it. And it all comes down to this. People, we need to stop taking offense at every little thing. And when we do become offended, we need to not expect the government to make a rule that you cannot offend me. Pay me the same. Sure. Don’t discriminate because of gender, sure, that goes without saying. But make all the jokes you want. Cuz sometimes, they’re just darn funny.

A question for anyone who has read my books, can you see Grandmaster Kino getting all up in arms about a joke? Nope. I can see him admitting that he thinks it IS more likely that a guy would try out a Tazer than a woman.  And he certainly realizes the difference emotionally, spiritually and in  physiology between males and females since his life’s work involves the training of body, mind and spirit. So often I find myself comparing how a real man should act to two figures... my Eric Kino from The Dandelions Series and Jesus. Somehow, I cannot imagine Jesus taking offense at the funny Tazer story. I’m thinking he probably enjoys a good laugh now and then. So, I’m done. Peaceout.
P.S. Here’s the Tazer story in case you are curious. I’m sorry I don’t now the original author’s name. It's well-written and I would love to give him credit!
ONLY A MAN WOULD ATTEMPT THIS

Just try reading this without laughing till you cry!!!

Pocket Tazer Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife.

A guy who purchased his lovely wife a pocket Tazer for their anniversary submitted this:

Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Julie. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized Tazer.

The effects of the Tazer were supposed to be short lived, with no long term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety...??

WAY TOO COOL! Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home... I loaded two AAA batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button and pressed it against a metal surface at the same time, I'd get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs.

AWESOME!!! Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Julie what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave.

Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two AAA batteries, right?

There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target.

I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and then thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised.

Am I wrong?

So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and Tazer in another.

The directions said that:

a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant;

a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; and

a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water.

Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.

All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference (loaded with two itsy, bitsy AAA batteries); pretty cute really, and thinking to myself, 'no possible way!'

What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best.

I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side so as to say, 'Don't do it stupid,' reasoning that a one second burst from such a tiny lil ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad.. I decided to give myself a one second burst just for heck of it.

I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and...

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD. WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. WHAT THE... !!!

I'm pretty sure Hulk Hogan ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs! The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the fireplace, obviously in an attempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room.

Note:
If you ever feel compelled to 'mug' yourself with a Tazer,
one note of caution:

There is NO such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself! You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor!
A three second burst would be considered conservative!

A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape.

My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace.
 The recliner was upside down and about 8 feet or so from where it originally was.
 My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching..
 My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs.
 I had no control over the drooling.
 Apparently I had crapped in my shorts, but was too numb to know for sure, and my sense of smell was gone.
 I saw a faint smoke cloud above my head, which I believe came from my hair.
I'm still looking for my testicles and I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return!

PS: My wife can't stop laughing about my experience, loved the gift and now regularly threatens me with it!

If you think education is difficult, try being stupid!!!!