Harrison Butker led his commencement speech at Benedictine College by saying, “The world around us says that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves whenever they go against the tyranny of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Tyranny is defined as a cruel and oppressive government or rule.
Let the ironic ignorance of Butker’s comment sink in.
Again, tyranny is defined as a cruel and oppressive government or rule.
Consider that actual tyranny stemming from a government that allowed for bigotry, misogyny, and racism to be protected through law remains so deeply rooted in our culture that women continue to face a gender pay gap and punitive maternity leave rules while the majority of men lack sufficient paid paternity leave.
Not to be misunderstood, he spoke directly to the women in the crowd who made great sacrifices to prepare for their careers by attending Benedictine College. He said they “have had the most diabolical lies” told to them, and what they should really be looking forward to is their vocation of serving as wives and mothers.
He made sure to include LGBTQ students, calling them sinful for who they are, not what they did, while simultaneously disparaging a month dedicated to bringing to light the inequities they still suffer from today.
Butker had a different leading message for men.
He told men to “Be unapologetic in your masculinity, fighting against the cultural emasculation of men.” Apparently, being a kicker empowers you as an authority figure for masculinity.
The idea that we are divided into roles based on our gender, bigotry, and misogyny has plagued people from being who they are, has created social fragmentation, and perpetuated the problem of women and others being told they should be someone they are not. I see this play out in workplace rules, the roles in a home, and the fights that stem from both.
Some couples choose to have one spouse or the other as a dedicated homemaker and lead caregiver. That’s great if that is what makes them happy. But cornering someone in a box based on their sex is not what makes anyone happy.
At Modern Husbands, we are proud to serve couples who see the importance of teamwork in marriage and value egalitarian relationships with mutual respect as people and professionals.
I am proud of my wife. She’s a rock star at work and a great mother. You can be both when you work as a team; that is what masculine men do for their spouses.
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Featured image:
Theonewhoknowsnothingatall on Wikimedia under CC license