Masculinity choices

Masculinity is a set of traits and behaviors leading to concepts that we define as both healthy or toxic.

Alex Pretti, the ICU VA nurse recently killed, emulated a kind, nurturing and compassionate approach when aiding a woman who had been viciously shoved to the ground in Minneapolis. His unexpected tender heartedness reflects a strength and persistence when opposing wrong disguised as “ICE Normal.”

As to toxic masculinity, we have Tom Homan, the architect of separating children including infants from their families; Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War Crimes, shoots helpless survivors clinging to destroyed vessels and can’t wait to unleash his pubescent urges to be warlike; Stephen Miller promotes his campaign of racism, hate and cruelty; our Misogynist-in-Chief Donald Trump, who since the 1970s has been accused of sexual misconduct including rape by 28 women, and is a consistently, cowardly and demeaning bully with the morality of a grapefruit.

Alex Pretti demonstrated the right kind of admirable masculinity. His last words to the woman lying prone were “Are you okay?” In his nursing career, he used his skills to help, heal, serve and protect the most vulnerable among us. Manifest your own masculinity. Choose Wisely. 

Michael A. LeMay

Veterans For Peace