The joyful Minnesota governor is a valuable spokesperson for Harris whose background and personality can help the Democratic ticket undermine Trumpā€™s efforts to woo Americaā€™s men.

Tim Walzā€™sĀ first official speechĀ on the Democratic ticket displayed all the reasons thatĀ Kamala HarrisĀ has been lauded for picking the Minnesota governor as her running mate. Personally, I think one outshines all the rest.

Walzā€™s military background and his work as a high school teacher and football coach, along with his palpable joy andĀ open expressions of compassion for people in need, offer America a vision of what manhood can look like ā€” heā€™s a ā€œjoyful warriorā€ offering a vision in contrast with whatā€™s being offered by Donald Trumpā€™s bravado-driven campaign.

And heā€™s clearly willing to challenge Team Trump on that front. He displayed that even before he received the call to join Harrisā€™ campaign, using public appearances to refer to Trump and his allies asĀ ā€œbulliesā€ who are truly weak at heartĀ and by mocking the GOP ticket for ā€œrunning for He-Man Women Haters Club or something.ā€

  • The Quuuuuill
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    6ā€¢1 month ago

    The ultimate fictional portrayal of the journey of toxic vs nontoxic masculinity is Zuko and Iroh. And what does Iroh teach Zuko and us? Manliness/masculinity isnā€™t defined approval, its defined by acceptance. To be a ā€œmanā€ isnā€™t about using violence in showy ways for the sake of being acknowledged. To be a ā€œmanā€ is to accept and love people, including oneā€™s self, for their true nature. If violence is to be used, it must be in this context. Violence should never be used by a true ā€œmanā€ for anything other than protection. Violence can be wielded when it is to protect ones own true nature, or to protect someone else who doesnā€™t have the power to protect themselves from a domineering situation. The ultimate conclusion of this is asking the question of what emotions is a true ā€œmanā€ allowed to access. We are shown through Zuko that the only emotion the toxic culture is allowed to access and control is anger. We are shown through Zuko how hard it is to transition out of this culture of anger and violence and toxic masculinity. The ultimate conclusion to both his arc, and the arc that Iroh went on before the show, is that true power comes from accessing the entire emotional spectrum that dwells within and turning this into power. True ā€œmanlinessā€ is more than just anger and violence. True ā€œmanlinessā€ is passion. That passion can be rooted in anything. We watch Zuko learn that he can draw power from joy, sorrow, and empathy. Toxic masculinity is Zukoā€™s origin story: pure hatred. True masculinity is Zukoā€™s finale: empathy so strong and so powerful that he sees one of his greatest torturers as sad, tortured, broken girl; one that if he returned her lightning to her he would lose the part of himself that heā€™d cultivated and grew to love.

    • @assassin_aragorn@lemmy.world
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      3ā€¢1 month ago

      Very well said. I think that might be why a lot of people (or me at least) relate to him so much, even if our fathers didnā€™t burn our faces and exile us.

      Thereā€™s something very relatable about Zukoā€™s journey, and youā€™ve put it into words perfectly. I like how you pointed out that true manliness is passion, which is what we see the true origin of firebending is. Passion and drive. Feeling your emotions with all your heart.

      As a small caveat, I do think Zuko was ready to redirect the lightning at Azula, and potentially kill her, the circumstances just werenā€™t right. However, I think after he sees her breaking down, he wouldnā€™t ever do that. Like you said, he realizes sheā€™s broken and hurt and abused too. I think it wasnā€™t until that moment though that Zuko really realized it.

      As a side note, this description of masculinity actually reminds me a bit of Gurren Lagann too. Manliness comes up a lot, and in the end, the series makes the argument that manliness is about tenacity, passion, protection, and creation. And it isnā€™t something thatā€™s just exclusive to men either. Early on, the protagonist becomes stuck in grief, and itā€™s only after he accepts the sadness and emotions that he really comes into his own.

      Already, very, very well spoken! Thank you for that!