Whether we like it or not, split second judgments are a natural flaw of the modern human condition. The first thing we notice about a person before they speak, or before we get a chance to know their personality, is their physical appearance. Combined with the influence of the media, and pre conceived notions of the âacceptableâ persona to present to the world, itâs no wonder that many people feel lost when they do not fit into these very selective, gender/racially bound, categories.
In Pascoeâs Dude, Youâre a Fag: Adolescent Male Homophobia, there are many examples of how a single word threatens these teenagersâ comfortable place in their societal group and can have such a powerful effect on the ways they live their lives. The White Manâs Muscles, by Richard Dyer examines male body builders and how the stigmas behind them influenced the standard for white (and other nationalities) men by portraying their physical stature and ego as âidealâ. Both of these articles, although the topics may be drastically different, depict the importance of the physical attributes of a person. By not complying with the contemporary ideas of what people should look like that is accepted by the majority of society, a person will be considered undesirable or an outcast.
        In his high school, the boy in Pascoeâs article, Ricky, was the embodiment of the word âfagâ. The way he dressed did not fit the status quo, and he was subject to physical abuse and torment. By being interested in theater and dance, he challenged what was considered to be ânormalâ activities for a boy to be participating in. The use of the words âfagâ and âgayâ were interchangeable, but had very contrasting connotations connected to them. Boys were extremely self-conscious of their interactions with each other, and made sure not to cross certain social boundaries for the mere possibility they might be called a âfagâ. Ricky, an individualist who expressed himself despite these religiously followed norms, was repeatedly emotionally and physically threatened by his classmates because of THEIR fear of him. They did not understand how he could so easily and happily live his life outside the boxes of the social codes they had been placed in since birth. Pascoe briefly notes on how Rickyâs grandma was homophobic and forbade him to wear nail polish and make-up. This is what made me think back to Dyerâs article, and how this âidealisticâ view of how a man should look and act is most likely what Rickyâs grandmother learned growing up. Itâs just a thought, but the other homophobic boys in Rickyâs high school were probably also the product of their environment and the teachings instilled in them by their parents who are less accepting of anything that goes against traditional values. By continuing to reciprocate and pass on these views about how the white, heterosexual lifestyle is the only ârightâ way to live life, people will be hindering the inevitable growth of mankind â and that is growing into more accepting, loving, and supportive societal systems.
