Matt Walsh is feeling confident about his performance on Dr. Phil.
But he's WRONG on gender.
The confusion begins at the level of linguistics.
"Male" and "Female" are WORDS which point to biology and "sex".
"Man" and "Woman" are WORDS which point to social norms in public life.
"Manhood" and "Womanhood" are social constructions, unique in every culture.
The suite of norms and expectations created around the category "woman" are just as mythical and made up as the norms set for "men". Matt defends a set of very old myths, while the other panelists assert their freedom to choose new ones.
Our culture typically places female babies into the woman category from birth, and they are fed a litany of literature, images, examples of an ideal woman performance. Everything from manner of speaking, to physical size, gait, fashion, personal interests, domestication, sexual modesty, energetic demeanor, expressions of love, professional choices ... On the extreme end, some segments of our culture even groom and dress small girls in makeup and elaborate outfits, for the amusement of adult watchers. Matt should admit that dominant culture asserts itself by inventing new language for women and girls who don't PERFORM the category correctly.
"Slut", "Tomboy", "Bitch", "Dyke", "Aggressive" ...
The social construction of Womanhood affects everyone differently.
In 1851, abolitionist and womanist, Sojourner Truth asked ...
"That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman?"
The complex privileges and burdens around the social category of "woman" in the United States have always been constructed, assigned, revoked, bestowed, enforced, denied by MEN. Particularly white men. Logical-sounding men, like Matt Walsh.
I see "woman" as a word. "Woman" points to an interesting, deeply-rooted, socially constructed category of ideals and expectations. Typically focused on the adult human "female" - but imposed on all of us.
Some humans have always opted for the LIBERTY of self-definition.
A creative, personal freedom so radically honest, it confuses Matt Walsh.
-Billy
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