The Best A Man Can Be: Opinion on a Controversial Ad
By Mallory Gersh '19
Pictured: Screenshot from the Gillette commercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koPmuEyP3a0
Famously known for their slogan “The Best A Man Can Get,” Gillette razor company has recently used its platform to shine a light on “toxic masculinity” and to promote the #MeToo Movement. With over twenty-nine million views on Youtube, this two-minute ad was released on January 13th to emphasize the importance of how men should act as allies toward both the male and female genders. Throughout the ad, Gillette infers that the change within our society is dependant on how we as humans act toward one another. The voiceover claims, “We believe the best in men,” stressing the importance of how men should use their voices to stand up for a child being bullied, a friend catcalling a woman in the streets, or the devaluing of a woman’s opinion.
Gillette released a statement just after switching their slogan from “The Best a Man Can Get” to “The Best a Man Can Be,” explaining that the purpose of this ad is to “challenge the stereotypes and expectations of what it means to be a man everywhere you see Gillette.” Moreover, this campaign is not only just for raising awareness. In addition, in the same statement the company stated they have “committed to donate $1 million per year for the next three years to non-profit organizations executing programs in the United States designed to inspire, educate and help men of all ages achieve their personal ‘best’ and become role models for the next generation.”
In Severn School’s most recent Unity Day, the #MeToo Movement seminar had an open discussion regarding the effects of the Gillette ad and the specific message that it was sending to the country. We concluded as a group that the particular “change” that is needed to alter a society spurs from the collaboration and conversation that so infrequently occurs on a day-to-day basis regarding sexual assault and misconduct. The purpose of the closing activity in this seminar was to create a safe and open dialogue to discuss the ways young men can act as allies and work toward ending sexual violence. It is vital to send this message out to younger men particularly because we are the generation that can influence the world. It is in the hands of millennials to change the perception of how men should treat women and vice versa, because as the ad concludes, “the boys watching today will be the men of tomorrow.”
Gillette released a statement just after switching their slogan from “The Best a Man Can Get” to “The Best a Man Can Be,” explaining that the purpose of this ad is to “challenge the stereotypes and expectations of what it means to be a man everywhere you see Gillette.” Moreover, this campaign is not only just for raising awareness. In addition, in the same statement the company stated they have “committed to donate $1 million per year for the next three years to non-profit organizations executing programs in the United States designed to inspire, educate and help men of all ages achieve their personal ‘best’ and become role models for the next generation.”
In Severn School’s most recent Unity Day, the #MeToo Movement seminar had an open discussion regarding the effects of the Gillette ad and the specific message that it was sending to the country. We concluded as a group that the particular “change” that is needed to alter a society spurs from the collaboration and conversation that so infrequently occurs on a day-to-day basis regarding sexual assault and misconduct. The purpose of the closing activity in this seminar was to create a safe and open dialogue to discuss the ways young men can act as allies and work toward ending sexual violence. It is vital to send this message out to younger men particularly because we are the generation that can influence the world. It is in the hands of millennials to change the perception of how men should treat women and vice versa, because as the ad concludes, “the boys watching today will be the men of tomorrow.”