I love men but I am not one. Therefore, I have no clue what it is truly like to be a man and to walk in their shoes in 2019. That’s why I would love to hear from the men out there about what you think of this new Gillette advert. According to a number of media outlets, it’s received mixed reviews with many being downright abhorred by it. Am I missing something?

It’s not saying don’t be men, it’s saying be the best men you can be.”

I’ve heard about it from men, read about it and seen it in action in real life, and toxic masculinity, in my opinion, has been labelled correctly. When I hear poisonous phrases like “Boys will be boys” and “Man up”, it irks me. What does that even mean? Is it the reverse of people having issues with women deciding not to have children and pursue an ambitious career with when a man wants to stay at home to raise his children and openly expresses his emotions? Also, can we not just let people be people? There is nothing wrong with being masculine or feminine, but we should be able to make space for everyone in the world express, explore and connect with them in whatever ways they want. The only exception to this for me is when anything becomes toxic inevitably manifesting into negativity and suppression.

“I believe in women standing up against toxic femininity.”

I thought the advert sent a clear message about the role of men in changing the world to make it safer and freer for all involved by standing up to toxic masculinity. It’s not saying don’t be men, it’s saying be the best men you can be. That’s a sentiment I personally support, the same way I believe in women standing up against toxic femininity. Yes, man-haters, I’m talking about you. Lay down your verbal weapons please and thank you. We – both men and women – are all in this world together and all of us should act as such.

Again, I am seeing this advert through the eyes of a woman who has been waiting for such a powerful and essential message to be communicated to the male masses in a language they understand or better still, from someone they will listen to. Side note, I know there are many men out there who already get this, some of you are my favourite feminists but that’s why I say masses, not everyone does or indeed agrees with it. I long for the power all men have to make a huge positive change in this world to not just resonate in their hearts and minds but to incite action to make these magnificent moves. To tackle the culture of toxic masculinity head-on by taking actionable steps to highlight what’s healthy for mankind versus what’s not and implement the former,  I don’t think it makes any male any less of a ‘man’ – whatever that means. If anything, I think it makes them all the best kind of ones.