I Won't Back Down (An Essay)

I WON'T BACK DOWN
(AN ESSAY)


As a child, I was easily manipulated. I possesed a primitive sense of right and
wrong, but could be convinced to do certain things I would rather not have done,
in order to please someone I liked or trusted. ("Let's get Davey to do it," was
a common refrain.) I would stand up for my family and my pets, but not for my-
self.

In grade school through high school, I was "easy to get along with," meaning
that I seldom disagreed with anyone. I kept my opinions to myself.I laughed at
eveyone's jokes, and tried to stay in everyone's good grace. The best that I
can say about my behavior, in school, is that I was not "a gosip."

In the Army, I occasionally "covered for" men under my supervision, in order
to keep them on my side. While I did not allow any crime or serious breach
of discipline, to go unreported, I did "sweep some things under the rug."

In college, I mixed with students who vehementy disagreed with my political
opinions. I did not adopt their views, but I did not firmly defend mine, either.

In my 30+ years as a supervisor, I sometimes overlooked certain policy vio-
lations, on the part of personnel reporting to me. I preferred to accept the
consequences for someone else's behavior, than to "write up" the culprit. I
was quicker to defend the actions of a poor employee, than I was to stand
up for myself.

As a young man, I learned, from feminists, the art of "consciousness-
awakening." I probed my soul, and found it wanting. I began to see
the world (as far as possible for a white man), from the perspective
of women and minorities. I feel that I have a more enlightened view
of "human rights," than I did, long ago. (There are still limits on what
I can accept.)

For 10 years, I have been condemning Hollywood's fascination with
presenting scenes of nude boys, in "mainstream" or "family-themed," movies. The typical responses I receive, to my arguments,
may be boiled down to the following:

* More WOMEN, than MEN, are shown, nude, in movies. (I am
talking about BOYS.)

* It is "illegal" to film minors, nude, in American movies.

* Perhaps the "boy" actors are 18 years old, or older, "playing
younger roles."

* Maybe the boy actors are wearing "pasties." (I never knew that
pasties had parts that swing like an elephant's trunk, when the
wearer moves.)

* The boy actors could be wearing flesh-colored, low slung, briefs.
(And this is O.K.?)

* "All nudity is not bad." (Would those holding this belief, feel the
same, if GIRLS, instead of BOYS, were in the nude scenes?)

My perfectly un-scientific "research," convinces me that underage
boys, are, indeed, filmed nude, for so-called "family friendly" films.
Even if the offending scenes are "fake" or "depicted," they are
still WRONG. Girls, today, can eaily locate images of nude boys,
on line. They do not need Hollywood to add to their delight.

I love Johnny Cash's version of the song, "I Won't Back Down."
It was one of his last recordings. He sounds like an old warrior,
who may respect what others may say about him, but who, hav-
ing made up his mind, "will stand (his) ground."

Likewise, while I do respect those who disagree with my views
concerning "the 'dissing' of America's boys," I will not back down.
The feeback I receive, in reviews of my posts, is greatly appreci-
ated. However, I will no longer process communications that tell
me, in effect, to "get used to," the degradation of boys.