Men Doing Manly Things

The other day was an ERT day (Emergency Response Team training day). I have not really been able to see much of what Shawn does at work, so I was excited when he invited me to come check out the training activities he had planned for that day. I found it very fascinating just because I was getting to see the types of things they would do in a real-life rescue scenario.

The past couple of weeks we've also watched several movies which center a lot around male drives and dynamics:

World Trade Center: Two PAPD police officers are found and rescued from the WTC rubble.

V for Vendetta: A man seeks to liberate the people of an oppressed futuristic Britain.

Glory: A white, Northern officer is commisioned to lead a group of African-American soldiers in the Civil War.

Full Metal Jacket: The story of a Marine journalist through boot camp and his tour in Vietnam.

All these movies show things about male character and instincts which are often muted, underappreciated or even downright scorned in our modern society. I think it is sad that the positive aspects to manhood are not more strongly emphasized and praised. I think it comes out of a fear that if masculine traits are allowed to grow "unchecked," we will have a "Lord of the Flies" situation on our hands.

Look back throughout history. There have been dark periods in history where men have done lots of bad things. BUT, look at all the things men have accomplished; all the GOOD they have accomplished.

What does this have to do with ERT day? I thought about all of this while I was watching from the shade as these men worked in 115 degree, humid, sunny, windy and sandy weather--in navy blue coveralls, gloves, work boots and hardhats! They didn't complain. They didn't quit. This was a scenario for training purposes. But I got a glimpse into the resolve that the men would exhibit if it were a real situation with somebody's life on the line. It is comforting to have a reminder that in this world, there are still plenty of men who use their strengths and masculinity to offer good to the world.