In a break from the trend of calling all men “soldiers” or “forces” when they are killed or have done something heroic while specifically calling women “women” when they do or suffer anything at all, President Obama explicitly thanked the “men” who took down Osama bin Laden.
The quote is as follows:
We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country…
The quote starts at 7:39 on the video below:
It may not seem like much, but I was actually surprised when I noticed it on TV. These days, recognizing the heroism of men and identifying them as such is all but taboo, whereas downplaying men’s accomplishments and efforts or outright disparaging them is in vogue.
I have to admit I like the president a little more for these words, but it’s probably his speechwriter who came up with that line. Perhaps the speechwriter is a young man who, in his own subtle way, is doing something to counter misandry in America.
