And the Nation Shrugged

On CBS 60 Minutes, 9/28/25, Dana White, of cage boxing fame, challenges interviewer John Wertheim who asks about “toxic masculinity.” White responds: “You tell me what ‘toxic masculinity’ means. There is no such thing.” Wertheim shurgs. The day before two homeless men were beaten on the streets in my city by young men showing off their “masculinity” brutalizing those without shelter. Across the nation last night hundreds of women sought shelter from abusive partners. This morning hundreds of police officers and social workers seek to protect children from violence in their homes. Wertheim and the nation shrugs. Today the “Secretary of War” is gathering all senior leaders of the U.S. Military to encourage a “warrior mentality.”

There was a time when “be a man” meant tell the truth, take responsibility to do the right thing, be courteous and look out for the weak or vulnerable. As Dana White acknowledged he prefers to be seen as a bully! And the nation shrugs.