William K. Black
February 7, 2016 Bloomington, MN
The New York Times has produced a wonderful, unintended, juxtaposition in their pages on February 6, 2016. Two articles report on think tanks calling for the government to engage in right-wing propaganda campaigns to restore “manly” men. One article discusses the Chinese think tanks that have convinced the (Communist) government to engage in a massive propaganda campaign.
Worried that a shortage of male teachers has produced a generation of timid, self-centered and effeminate boys, Chinese educators are working to reinforce traditional gender roles and values in the classroom.
This is how the article begins:
FUZHOU, China — The history class began with a lesson on being manly.
Lin Wei, 27, one of a handful of male sixth-grade teachers at a primary school here, has made a habit of telling stories about warlords who threw witches into rivers and soldiers who outsmarted Japanese troops. “Men have special duties,” he said. “They have to be brave, protect women and take responsibility for wrongdoing.”
