The Cool Pose Summary

1.. Introduction: Question #3 Katz argues that violence is about violent masculinity rather than about violent males, and that there is a significant difference between the two. Males are not innately violent. Instead, they are taught through the media and through their own interpersonal relationships what “real” masculinity is. Katz outlines video games, movies, pornography, and sports as a few of the platforms that masculinity is taught on. Men aren’t violent people from birth, they’re just taught that violence is a reasonable, celebrated way to assert and prove their masculinity.

2. Hiding in Plain Sight: Question #5 When reporting on men’s violence against women, journalists use passive voice and avoid gender altogether. They say things like, “that woman was raped” rather than, “that man raped that woman” as a way to make rape culture seem like a women’s issue. It takes attention away from the fact

The Cool Pose: Question #2 The basic thesis of the book Cool Pose is that black men often adopt a threatening, overtly-masculine exterior as a way to assert the fact that they are still “real” men despite being discriminated against on the basis of race. It’s a way for them to show that their race doesn’t take away from the fact that they can be “real” men and fit the ideal masculine stereotype.

6. Upping the Ante: Question #1

Over time, popular culture has changed the way that the ideal man is portrayed and has changed what the ideal male body is. In the past, ideal men as portrayed in movies and television were much smaller than they are today. Today, ideal men are portrayed as huge and muscular, signaling their power and aggression. One example of this in Tough Guise 2 is the G.I. Joe doll. In the 1960’s, the biceps of the G.I. Joe doll were 12 inches, and have slowly grown over time to now being around 26 inches. This goes to show that now, young men and boys are taught to idealize being as big as possible to show that they’re masculine and “real”