Meanwhile, In The "Real World"...

In the land of the Eros, gender-equality is not even an issue. Both men and women are seen as parts of a whole, distinct yet interconnected. Some more suited to one task or another, perhaps, but none could exist without the other.

If only our own world could see things in the same light.

No, in our world, in order for one thing/person/place/idea to be "good", the opposite must be "bad". So, for centuries we had the majority of the world believing that one gender was "superior" to another. Not so long ago, this idea began to be challenged. Unfortunately however, in order to raise one up, another had to be lowered down. So, we enter the age of "man-bashing".  In our world, to be accepting of all women as "beautiful", we must denigrate all men as being "ugly". To see all women as "capable", we must see all men as "inept". It is subtle, but it is rampant. And if we call it out, we are misogynistic. Well, I'm going to call it out.

Case in point...

Here's a screenshot from the latest "Carly and Cupid" ad from T-mobile (red line added by me), in which a man is made to be seen as awkward, inept, ugly, and clueless all because he wants to surprise his valentine. The final dialog has him say, "I feel like I'm missing something," to which Carly replies, "Pants?". Now notice the red line I've added to the picture. They have the exact same hemline in their outfits! Why should he be made to feel stupid for not wearing pants, by someone who is also not wearing pants?

I know, it's a silly little commercial, but in the land of the Eros, he would be called thoughtful and beautiful, and she would offer to accompany him to meet his girlfriend, because the only thing he's missing is someone to watch and whisper sweet songs of love in both their ears as they make passionate love to each other!

And that's much better than a crappy cell phone plan!

Happy Valentine's Day!