the planet project

Antwone Fisher – protagonist of the movie with the same name and real life screenwriter – recently released a book titled: “A Boy Should Know How to Tie a Tie: And Other Lessons for Succeeding in Life.”

“I think a lot of people complain about young people and the way they dress or behave, but for some of them, no one ever explained those things,” Fisher said. He postulates that young men, raised by single mothers or fathers who are too busy trying to “make it” to pay them due attention, are not taught the fundamentals of being a man.

Of course he is talking about the nuts and bolts: How to tie a tie, tuck a shirt and shave, but he certainly has a point. A well turned out young man is a rare sight.

Remember the days when men were men? They looked sharp, had well manicured nails, helped old ladies cross the street, opened doors, bought flowers and generally wore the hell out of those pants. Chivalry is dead and it’s the ladies who are loading rolls of plastic and shovels into the trunk.

That’s right ladies – you with your salad bars, skinny lattes, rom coms and sensitivity feelings ‘n stuff. You have raised your sons to be the men your husbands and fathers never were. The result of your sensitivity training is that doors remain unopened and little old ladies have to brave the zebra crossings alone while we stay at home on Sundays and tear up to HBO specials.

I say bring back the heroes. It’s time to reclaim our rightful place in the world. Hand me those pants, woman! Out with Appletinis, in with Martinis! Hold the skinny soy milk latte with a twist, just give it to me strong and black. I am an M.A.N!