Harry Styles, former One Direction member, has become the first solo man on a U.S. Vogue magazine. An incredible accomplishment I thought, he has done something no one else has been able to do. Millions of women and men have praised what he has done over the years and this is just the cherry on top. To anyone, you would think one would admire Styles for his bravery of doing something so seemingly questionable. He modeled in several pieces of beautiful clothing and fabrics, one being a Gucci jacket and stunning dress. He posed in it for the cover of Vogue. "What is it he did wrong?" "Why exactly is he getting hate?" I am asking the same questions.
Candace Owens shared her opinion in a tweet that immediately caused controversy about a topic that should simply not be questioned. It didn't take long for fans of Styles to come to his defense, but it didn't just stop there. Influencer Logan Paul and actor Zach Braff both stood up against Owens' words, as did several other voices as well.
Wearing a dress should not define one's masculinity. It doesn't take away from their strength, in fact, being able to break down those barriers like Harry did only shows the confidence he holds within himself. It was a power move that is going to inspire millions to be themselves. He isn't scared to be who he wants to be and that right there is what makes him a man.
Fear doesn't stand in his way.
Gender roles have always existed and frankly they always will. We praise gender equality and in the big picture you can look at the glass as half empty or half full. It's half empty in the sense that we still aren't where we want to be, change isn't coming fast enough. However, half full is spotting the difference in the future and working towards that without focusing in on the past and the present. It is time we stop giving the attention to those who want to hold back the shift in gender equality. Let 'manly men' be defined by their own terms. It's not up to anyone else what someone may wear and do. People will come to realize that on their own and in the mean time all we can do is keep moving forward.
