I made a discovery last night, purely due to a friend sending me a link to a youtube video, that really took me for a ride into the surreal. While watching this video I found myself to be totally enthralled by not only the subject matter being discussed but also by the person delivering the message: Men are not Disposable. (Understand this – rarely do I want to meet anyone, and I want to meet her). This may seem like a rather odd subject to begin with to some as one might instantly conclude that men are not expendable as one could argue nobody is. The catch is that “GirlWritesWhat” (her blog is owningyourshit.blogspot.com) , the author of this piece, argues that society actually believes and acts contrary to that belief. Her delivery btw is not only articulate but borderline breathtaking in the way in which she makes a point and backs that point up with historical references. I know right? I believe her to be educated, probably more than me.

So why is this topic even worth discussion? One could quickly ascertain that the subject may very well be counter to what many Feminists believe – men are shit and get everything. The odd point of contention over the years has been the idea of equality – what “GirlWritesWhat” is stating, really, and what I have stated in the past, is that equality is a great thing if there is real equality. The catch is, and her video argues this point,  that this is not the actual case at all. In fact, according to her, men are, in a fashion, given the short end of the stick when it comes to equality – a point that would make most Feminists lose their god damned minds. I can hear the shrill sounds of chanting “BURN THE WITCH!” now.

How is it that there is not true equality? Moreover, what is the problem with the concept? Feminists seem to argue that they want equality, but the general observation is that they want equality only when it suits them. Which is really a point being argued in this video, in not so many words.

1. During wartime, only men are drafted. Not equal.
2. If a ship sinks, Women and children are saved first. Not Equal.
3. A boy is expected to be tough, and thus is often time not nurtured, while a girl is protected. Not equal
4. At birth a boy’s genitalia are hacked at. Not equal.
5. Women can don men’s clothing and be called cute for it. Men donning women’s clothing are cross dressers. Not Equal.

The list goes on really. I believe that all things should be treated equal, if they are in fact equal. The catch here is that men and women aren’t actually equal. Men excel at some things over women as it is their nature to do so. Like killing stuff. Men are great at killing as men are wired to be hunter gatherers. Women excel at a veritable cornucopia of things over men, almost too many to list really. A major one being multitasking. Women are glorious at it. Why the difference between the two genders? Because they are meant to work together, their skills  are to be employed in a situation by situation basis. Meaning that dependent upon the situation at hand, equality may take a back seat to necessity driving the car.

For instance: A creature with claws and teeth has entered the home. Do you dispatch the 6 foot 2 inch tall 235 lb male to deal with said creature, or the 5 foot 2 inches tall 125 pound female?

For instance: There are 27 different things that are important tomorrow. Do you count on the man, who can think about basically one thing at a time, or the woman who can’t think about only one thing at a time?

These are both ridiculous scenarios, obviously, but they are meant to make a point: Men and women are not equal, but only because of the situation they are found in. Should a female miner be paid as much as a male miner? YES! If she can do the same work. This applies to all fields. If a woman can play Linebacker as good as a man in the NFL then YES she should be given a shot and be paid as such. Period. If there is a war, and the country needs to be defended, then YES both genders need to be called to action. Will they do they exact same job is the question?

That depends on the job. Watch the video. It may be the best 16 minutes you spend this year.