I recently read an article in the June 2016 edition of "Glamour" entitled “Sorry Men Suck." The article was from the point of view of Kevin Smith, who is a father as well as an actor and director. The one-page personal piece features the title printed in whimsical writing atop a canary yellow cake. At first glance, this image seems out of place, but upon reading the article I was able to understand and smile at the photo of the cake.

Kevin Smith recalls an unsettling incident that happened to his daughter and shares it with writer Kate Branch. Smith had received a call from his wife who proceeded to explain that their 16-year-old daughter, Harley, was harassed outside a Starbucks while waiting for an Uber. A car had pulled up with two men in it who questioned if Harley was waiting for an Uber. Harley was quick and smart thinking and refused to get in the car with the two guys who did not resemble the photo of her anticipated driver and who also did not know her name. After hearing of the incident Kevin Smith is understandable upset. He says, “…I just wanted to do something for her because at that moment her view of humanity – let’s be honest, man-ity – was totally f--ked.” So this father went to a bakery and had “Sorry Men Suck” piped with icing atop the cake. I couldn’t help but smile while reading about this protective, humorous, and loving paternal act this father displayed for his daughter with something so simple as a cake. The remainder of the article is Smith’s words of wisdom he feels women should know about some guys out there.

In a magazine marketed to women, featuring many women writers and editors, it was interesting to read something about men from the point of view of not only a man, but a father as well. And while this article isn’t over the top in negativity towards the male population, it does exhibit a great deal of honesty, and not all of it is positive. William Congreve may have coined the phrase “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” but in the context of Kevin Smith, I’d say “Hell hath no fury like a father scorned!”

The most important piece of this article, I believe, is Kevin Smith’s selective word choice – he doesn’t make blanket statements about “man-ity” because he uses “some” or “a lot of” instead of “all” or “every” when describing men. Reading his listed advice is like listening to advice my dad gave me when it came to guys, but in a more explicit and humorous way.

Not only is Smith’s love for his daughter, Harley, apparent throughout the piece, but also the love he has for his wife, Jen.

I enjoyed this article so much I ripped it out of the magazine so I can hold on to it and re-read it from time to time. Harley is lucky to have a dad that cares so much for her safety, well-being, and thoughts on both humanity and “man-ity." Kevin Smith reminds me of my dad - no mess, straight to the point, but at the root of it all is love. Here is Smith’s closing advice, which I think can apply to us as all: No matter where you go in life, always carry something stabby. Just in case. I think that “something stabby” can be both literal and metaphorical – pay attention to your surroundings, trust your gut, and have your keys at the ready!