The Crime of Masculinity

The video played on the evening news, anchors shook their collective heads and put down the actions of a full grown man, on a school bus, angry and yelling. He threatened two boys and the driver, beside himself with emotion.

A quote on the Florida Today website said: "Most of the media I saw, said it was a disgraceful sight, a man getting angry and yelling at children. Who will protect the children from these attacks? What kind of an animal gets on a bus and yells at children?" We've lost an important part of ourselves. We've lost a component of society essential to the foundation of human decency. We've lost the ability to be masculine.

This man was angry because his daughter, who suffered from cerebral palsy, was the victim of bullying. Boys on the bus teased her and the father reported it to officials, but nothing was done. On this day, the boys were making comments, flicking her ear, then they placed a condom on her head. The kids on the bus laughed and the father couldn't take it any longer. I understand his reaction.

James Willie Jones (the father) was charged with a crime. The sentiment throughout the media sympathized with the poor children, traumatized by this angry man. This is a shame. Why do we coddle these weak minded bullies?

I grew up around real men, who worked the fields, strong men of character. Men who showed by example what it means to protect and provide. Men who aren't afraid of their power and as a result are gentle.

I'm disappointed with the bullies, but I'm willing to bet they don't have an example of true masculinity in their lives. I'm even more disappointed with the other boys on the bus, those weak little boys who laughed. I know I, and my male friends, would've acted differently when we were that age. I'm sure we would've called out the bullies as the cowards they were, "leave her alone, if you want to pick on someone, pick on me - I dare you." James Willie Jones should never have had to set foot on that bus, he should never have had to report bullying to the authorities, but he did because these boys aren't young men. They are sad, weak little boys.

What we get when boys aren't shown how to be real men are testosterone driven disasters. Little boys with energy and power out of control. Boys need masculine influence. (By the way, they need the influence and care of their mother just as importantly). With a good male model the boys on that bus would've risen to protect that innocent girl. Their energy and power should have overwhelmed and humiliated the actions of the bullies.

Are we losing the ability to raise men? I hope not, but I fear, for many, it's too late. You see, when boys are raised with strong men in their lives society gains chivalry, honor, adherence to the law and protection from those who would harm little girls with cerebral palsy simply trying to go to school.

Below is an article that appeared on floridatoday.com:

LAKE MARY — A Florida father who stormed onto a school bus and threatened children because his 13-year-old disabled daughter had been bullied says his actions were also destructive.

James Willie Jones says he also was acting as a bully. He is advocating against bullying in schools and says no parent should copy his behavior.

Jones’ voice cracked and he and his wife, Deborah, openly wept during the emotional news conference Tuesday. He says his daughter suffers from cerebral palsy and he “could not stand by and helplessly watch her suffer.” But he says he apologizes for the way he handled the situation.

Jones was charged last week with disorderly conduct and disturbing a school function for the Sept. 3 incident. He later posted $2,000 bail and was ordered to stay away from the driver and county school buses. (floridatoday.com)

This has been on my mind for the past few days, the evening news played the surveillance of Jones boarding the bus.

Most of the media I saw, said it was a disgraceful sight, a man getting angry and yelling at children. Who will protect the children from these attacks? What kind of an animal gets on a bus and yells at children? The inferences were clear, this man was grossly out of line and charges were pressed against him.

What would make a man act so "incorrectly?" According to Bill Handel, Jones' daughter had cerebral palsy and was often teased. Her father had spoken with school authorities on previous occasions about the teasing. On this day, they flicked her ear, then put a condom on her head, most of the kids on the bus erupted in laughter and Mr. Jones couldn't take it any longer. What happened next, is very easy for me to understand. It's easy for any father of a little girl to understand.

He apologized. He did overreact, he did threaten harm to the bullies and the bus driver, but we've lost something as a society. We've lost control of masculinity. We've lost gallantry, chivalry and honor.

Why is the bulk of our societal anger aimed at the father and virtually none at the bullies? These boys were teasing a little handicapped girl and were rewarded with the laughter of their peers, they were rewarded with the satisfaction that, the one adult who stood up to them, was humiliated and charged with a crime. These boys were seen as victims. It's so sad. The other boys on the bus didn't give them a look, saying - that's pathetic.

The Sting

Received another rejection from a literary agent a few minutes ago. He encouraged me to keep trying, join a literary group, the story has potential but, the market is bad. I don't envy the publisher or literary agent who spend a good amount of their time dishing out reality to people like me.

It stings, but the question is, do I continue to develop CYN or learn and move on to other works? At this point, I'll continue to explore the ebook route.

Ouch.