Microblog Memes

Jordan Pattersons

I'm enjoying the thought that some random Patterson is out there summoned to this challenge, answering the call ready to beat the pants off you, with no reason other than "he challenged, I accepted"

I could make him cry.

JP's tweet heavily implied he would react violently or argue with someone to their face if they say "cis" to him. The response implies JP would, in fact, do neither. JP would instead scurry off with maybe a mean glance and then whine for an hour from the safety of his podcast.

The response to JP is making fun of false bravado, toxicity, and whatever the word is for people that take everything as a personal insult - even a simple fact that JP is a cis man.

Granted, some people can deliver obvious facts in a tone that can draw blood. And some facts do cut into insecurities really deep.

But JP, based on his rhetoric should not be hurt or insulted by being cis. He is instead angry about people existing that are trans and threatening violence over a word.

So no, I don't think this is mocking men having or showing real feelings. It's mocking the talk-tough toxicity that gets pushed to cover genuine emotions.

It depends on why they're crying. Bitching and moaning about people not being on board with bigotry is worthy of ridicule. Salty tears over an invented persecution complex deserves harsh mockery. Force them to choose between public shaming and the chance of redemption (for those not so far gone that they're beyond the possibility).

That's not the same as being genuinely in touch with your emotions and crying from traumatic events or other stressful situations. It's a human response that doesn't give a shit about genitalia or chromosomes or any other factors that I, as a layperson without specific education in such matters, may not be well-suited to articulate.

I'm an adult man, cisgender and my life experience includes things that many see as traditionally masculine pursuits. Won't say I cry terribly often but just within the first half of this month, I have been brought to tears multiple times in public and private settings. A recent loss in the family has been tough on all of us and while I'm not going around and making a spectacle of myself, I know there are cousins and nieces and nephews who look up to me and I see it as one of my responsibilities to model healthy behaviors and speak openly about how I'm feeling. I love them all and want them to grow into well-adjusted adults who will recognize that this is not a weakness and are willing to ask for help if and when it is needed.

Probably more info than necessary there but it's a topic that's been on my mind a lot recently. By breezing past the matter of sincerity and cry-bullying, it seems to me that the poster above has missed the mark.