‘—

assignment #5

In C.J Pascoe’s book, he discusses a flashback that he had to when he witnessed a skit taking place during school. This skit defines masculinity and sexuality in society. He talks about how Brent and Greg, the all popular athletes in school were dressed as nerds. These two guys used high pitched voices as a way to describe a woman and to show they how they were not respected. The contest taking place was to crown Mr. Cougar and Brett and Greg both have their girlfriends kidnapped by men portrayed as “gangstas.” These gangsters define the hypersexual black man by wearing do-rags, baggy pants, and sports jerseys. These things define a hardened black man in black culture. The two develop muscles as a form of masculinity and to show strength. Then they rip off their pants to show their skirts which causes the audience to laugh at them. This displays how being a woman symbolized comedy and weakness. This skit portrays the idea that unmasculine nerds can not fight back in society. This forces men to hold this heterosexual and masculine appearance which society deems appropriate. Heterosexuality is the only proper sexuality for men any other sexuality such as homosexuality would force society to shame them. Society shames men for being gay by calling them faggots and the holding the idea that this act is disgusting. Pascoe creates the idea that lifting weights and working out is masculine and not doing so would cause a man to lose his masculinity. Society suppresses men from indulging in certain activities, which forces them to lead a lifestyle of little choices. This then in turn makes society homophobic, shaming any man who has any inappropriate thoughts or wants to be involved in an activity that is outside of heterosexuality. Society forces men to live in a dark world filled with people watching you. Any man that wants to lead a different lifestyle will face consequences from society.