Who Says Artists Can’t be Macho?

Stereotyping can be one of the deadliest forms of criticism known to man. Germans love their beer; blondes are dumb, blacks like chicken and watermelon, and so on.

Forming a conception of an individual or an entire group of people without having the opportunity to learn anything about them is just plain wrong. Take for example a scraggly looking fellow walking down the street. You immediately steer clear of this stranger because of his unkempt appearance as you have already decided that he is lower than you and he wants what you have. How do you know this? Please share your insightful knowledge with me of someone you have never met.

I was pretty safe upon entering the world of art because I am a white female and am allowed to wander into this area according to our society. But when my grandson, John, took an interest in drawing, painting, writing and poetry, it was totally unacceptable by relatives and friends.

“He’s going to turn out to be gay; that’s a sissy pastime; somebody macho needs to have a talk with him.”

John just looks at them, shakes his head and gets a pitiful look on his face.

One day last summer, John was warming up for a football game. Doing stretches, tossing the ball, and sprinting. I noticed a boy that was bullying John by stealing the ball, shoving him and screaming “sissy” at him. My grandson kept trying to go about his business until he had evidently had enough. I watched patiently as he briefly looked my way, then WHAM, Mr. Bully fell to the ground.

The point to this story is that art can be a type of relaxation and stress reliever and whoever came up with the notion that only the weak and feeble can be interested in this hobby has never met my grandson. Think before you judge and be supportive of your children in their chosen endeavors. Don’t stereotype them as you do strangers.

Maybe art is a good place to start.