Let me be clear. There is no love lost between myself and Donald Trump.
Yes, he is a fascist (especially in the classic sense of the word: i.e. a corrupt collusion between business and government). And his re-election certainly means the end of America, and perhaps the end of the world.
That said -- what just happened? It’s very important to figure it out, because it has huge implications, and we are making lots of mistakes right now, and it's important that we correct them before the world becomes consumed by ‘populists.’
No, the problem is not 'the economy stupid,' or immigration: it is quite simply a psycho-sexual issue that has dominated this election, and is dominating the world right now. It's all about gender, and the wholesale demonization of men and masculinity.
Again, please don’t think I particularly favour masculinity over femininity, or men over women. (Yes, I’m gay, but that has nothing to do with it). What has happened is quite simple: in the west, we lived for years under a crushing patriarchy: that began to change about 50 years ago. The dawn of feminism was a good thing, because people were tired of the notion that women are stupid, or have nothing to contribute to society, or should stay at home and raise kids. But unfortunately, with the advent of 'wokeism' and ‘Metoo’ the patriarchy got replaced by something which I hesitate to call a matriarchy, because I’ve always presumed that a matriarchy might be kind and thoughtful.
But the wholesale demonization of men and masculinity is not at all kind or thoughtful. It will destroy the world, because it just won't work. Sorry, women and trans folk, but you will never get rid of men, or penises, or masculinity. All that ‘junk’ is here to stay. What happened in America is quite simple. They wanted ‘Daddy’ back again. Yes, Daddy can be stupid, and thoughtless and even downright mean now and then, but at the core he has a good heart and is concerned with our best interests. I’m not saying that is what Donald Trump is; but that is what Daddy is to most of us. And that’s what Donald Trump became: Daddy. He ran and was elected on all our 'Daddy issues.' Because as much as we hate him, we all want and need a daddy.
What came wth the demonization of men and masculinity was the demonization of masculine values — anyone too invulnerable, brave, sexual, and strong had to be replaced by someone vulnerable, sensitive, asexual, and full of feeling. But that’s not all. Free speech also got tossed out the window, and replaced with the very feminine notion that words will hurt as deeply as the sword. It’s an interesting idea — but it’s not true. And the consequence of blaming language for emotional hurt is a subtle but pervasive censorship, i.e., the banning of certain ideas, and ultimately the banning of certain people (‘cancellation’). Why do you think Trump spent the last month of his campaign offending people? But more importantly, why did it work?
People want to be offended. They want to say ‘bad,’ 'incorrect' things. They want to hold ideas that disgust to other people. And most importantly, they want to express them in the public marketplace. Trump’s ‘Daddy’ presence says to each and every one of us —
“Stop being such a pussy! Just say it! Say anything you wantI Yes! I could walk down 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I would still get elected! It’s a free country, get it? And I don’t care if what I say scares or offends you. Disagreeing and being offended is what being human is all about!”
So when Kamala Harris framed herself and the Democrats as a sensitive, joyful, nice women, the American electorate had had enough. Even women didn’t vote for her. Why? Because lots of women (I know it’s heresy!) like their men to be men. That doesn’t mean abusive, it just means manly. Because men being 'manly' usually means men want to screw women. And women like to get screwed; but only in the best way possible.
I don’t want all men to be manly. Hell, I’m a drag queen. But when I was a part of the gay liberation movement back in the 80s, it was about finding a place at the table; not destroying the other side. Somehow men and women (boy, I’m sure glad I’m not straight these days!) have to figure out a way to live together, without one dominating the other all the time. They have to take turns. That’s the way peace and happiness (and most good sex) works.
So, just in case you were wondering -- that’s what happened last night. You probably don’t want to hear this.
And you're going to call me ‘just another man’ for writing it.
Well yeah, well what can I say
I am.
