A relevant rallying cry from ’72
Marlo Thomas’ ‘Free to Be’ encouraged equality
Crying doesn’t make you a “sissy,” parents are people, housework should be shared equally, anyone can play with dolls if they want to, and sometimes ladies shouldn’t go first.
What is this? Leftist propaganda? Maybe so from some perspectives, but it’s also the book and soundtrack of my childhood. Of course I’m talking about Marlo Thomas’ “Free to Be … You and Me.”
The book and album, released in 1972, were followed by the television special in 1974, and for those of us of the Gen X vintage, many of the songs, skits and messages, remain permanently imprinted on our psyches. When the banjo intro kicks in on the title tune, my toe taps, my mood elevates and every single word of every single track wells up in my mind.
Specifically designed to promote equality between the sexesand to challenge traditional views of gender roles, I have little doubt that in today’s political climate, it would be denounced as subversive. Writing in the New York Post in 2014, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the television show’s release, Kyle Smith claimed the show “emasculated men,” taking particular umbrage at the sight of Rosie Grier, once known as one of the most ferocious players in the NFL, strumming a guitar, smiling like a brain donor and singing “It’s All Right to Cry.”
Perhaps Smith would call me a sissy, but as a sometimes sensitive kid, I remember finding great solace in that song. If physical bravado is the preferred gauge, I’m also pretty certain Grier, even at 86, could mop the floor with Smith, while simultaneously singing “It’s All Right to Cry.”
Ialso found value in the story of Princess Atalanta, whose father, the king, planned to marry her off to the winner of the big race, except Atalanta trained and trained to be the fastest of them all, hoping to foil her father’s plans. During the race, Atalanta found herself equally matched with someone from the town named “John,” and they broke the final tape together, knowing they were a good match.
Fast-forward 40-plus years, and I’m happily married to a Princess Atalanta, someone who is more educated, earns more money and whose career I’ve been following around the country since the year we were married. If dinner is cooked in our house, there is a 64.7 percentchance I’ve prepared it, and contrary to Smith, I’m proud, rather than emasculated.
Of course, a male, emasculated by the feminazi plot for world domination seeking the subjugation of all men, would think this.
Maybe I have been brainwashed!
For sure, a book and album and TV show by themselves didn’t shape my attitudes. I had a working mother who did the vast majority of the household duties, while making it clear to her two sons that the bargain was going to change for our generation.
That it hasn’t changed as quickly as my mom anticipated is as much a hazard for our society as it is for women who remain stymied by gender discrimination and harassment.
One of the explicit messages of “Free to Be You and Me” is that men benefit from equality too. I’m not sure why some find this so threatening. Maybe if they listened to “Free to Be You and Me” a few more times, they could get past their hang-ups and embrace a world where women are equal. It works for me.
I’ve got a great life, I’m very happy, and part of that happiness is not experiencing any psychic turbulence over the fact that my wife is not only my equal, but in many realms, my superior.
Without her, I wouldn’t be able to do this job. How lucky is that? John Warner is the author of “Tough Day for the Army.”
Twitter @biblioracle
What is this? Leftist propaganda? Maybe so from some perspectives, but it’s also the book and soundtrack of my childhood. Of course I’m talking about Marlo Thomas’ “Free to Be … You and Me.”
The book and album, released in 1972, were followed by the television special in 1974, and for those of us of the Gen X vintage, many of the songs, skits and messages, remain permanently imprinted on our psyches. When the banjo intro kicks in on the title tune, my toe taps, my mood elevates and every single word of every single track wells up in my mind.
Specifically designed to promote equality between the sexesand to challenge traditional views of gender roles, I have little doubt that in today’s political climate, it would be denounced as subversive. Writing in the New York Post in 2014, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the television show’s release, Kyle Smith claimed the show “emasculated men,” taking particular umbrage at the sight of Rosie Grier, once known as one of the most ferocious players in the NFL, strumming a guitar, smiling like a brain donor and singing “It’s All Right to Cry.”
Perhaps Smith would call me a sissy, but as a sometimes sensitive kid, I remember finding great solace in that song. If physical bravado is the preferred gauge, I’m also pretty certain Grier, even at 86, could mop the floor with Smith, while simultaneously singing “It’s All Right to Cry.”
Ialso found value in the story of Princess Atalanta, whose father, the king, planned to marry her off to the winner of the big race, except Atalanta trained and trained to be the fastest of them all, hoping to foil her father’s plans. During the race, Atalanta found herself equally matched with someone from the town named “John,” and they broke the final tape together, knowing they were a good match.
Fast-forward 40-plus years, and I’m happily married to a Princess Atalanta, someone who is more educated, earns more money and whose career I’ve been following around the country since the year we were married. If dinner is cooked in our house, there is a 64.7 percentchance I’ve prepared it, and contrary to Smith, I’m proud, rather than emasculated.
Of course, a male, emasculated by the feminazi plot for world domination seeking the subjugation of all men, would think this.
Maybe I have been brainwashed!
For sure, a book and album and TV show by themselves didn’t shape my attitudes. I had a working mother who did the vast majority of the household duties, while making it clear to her two sons that the bargain was going to change for our generation.
That it hasn’t changed as quickly as my mom anticipated is as much a hazard for our society as it is for women who remain stymied by gender discrimination and harassment.
One of the explicit messages of “Free to Be You and Me” is that men benefit from equality too. I’m not sure why some find this so threatening. Maybe if they listened to “Free to Be You and Me” a few more times, they could get past their hang-ups and embrace a world where women are equal. It works for me.
I’ve got a great life, I’m very happy, and part of that happiness is not experiencing any psychic turbulence over the fact that my wife is not only my equal, but in many realms, my superior.
Without her, I wouldn’t be able to do this job. How lucky is that? John Warner is the author of “Tough Day for the Army.”
Twitter @biblioracle
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