It is the outright hate and disgust I see manifested toward the "man thigh".
I am not sure what has happened over the last 30 years to generate such a discriminatory attitude but it wasn't always this way. One of the most beloved 80's television shows flexed it's man thighs every chance they had.
Indeed those male quadraceps and hamstrings were allowed to be free, to breathe fresh air, to have the right to expose themselves to the world. Sadly, in the ensuing years the short length has continued to lower and lower itself until now all man thighs everywhere are covered and contained by a hateful society. Even sports are taking their cue from this disturbing trend. The last remaining venue where the man thigh has been free from this oppression is under attack. The man thigh staple, the precious speedo, is being replaced by full length leggings or in some cases a full body swimsuit during competitive swimming competitions. I ask you bretheren, what is the world coming to?
Those precious Air Jordan thighs were once free to flex and jump at will. In today's disturbing climate, basketball players dislike and even make fun of the old shorts. In a recent throw back event this year, the LA Lakers wore the old style uniforms which included man thigh freedom shorts. What was the only thing Kobe Bryant could say after his freedom experience? "I felt violated, I felt naked."
This quote reflects the most disturbing result of the increasing societal discriminations of the man thigh, it is the self loathing that men now posess regarding their own legs. It is up to us Men! We have to first unite and remove the man thigh stigma. Then perhaps our women will follow suit and no longer lie to themselves and joke about our thighs but embrace them as they know they want to.
As difficult as it is to admit it, the United States could take a lesson from European countries who are currently leading the way with man thigh equality. Their progressive initiatives allow for men to be free in their short shorts and speedos. To not be hated and mocked and perhaps... even loved and adored. My props goes to British actor Daniel Craig for doning the man speedo in his role as 007. It is small steps like this that can create a change for men everywhere.
So as the Summer season approaches, I am asking men everywhere to unite and let your thighs be free...
The change begins with me!
18 comments:
I support your campaign for equal rights. You should start a website to further the cause and sell OP shorts and Tom Selleck posters. www.savemanthigh.org is still available...
wooooohoooo love those thighs. nice post trav.
It looks like the thighs have it, Travis, although real gentlemen do wear knee-length walking shorts.
I'm still pondering the sexist and racist implications of this post.
It looks like the thighs have it, Travis, although real gentlemen do wear knee-length walking shorts.
I'm still pondering the sexist and racist implications of this post.
It looks like the thighs have it, Travis, although real gentlemen do wear knee-length walking shorts.
I'm still pondering the sexist and racist implications of this post.
I'm proud of you, Travis, for finding such a worthy cause and supporting it through your own example. I'll be checking that tan line in June.
If you ever need more support check out my runners' photos through www.runruhs.com.
Dad...I know you're trying to redeem yourself in the blogging world, but three comments still only count as one when they're identical.
Thanks trav, that post made my day...I can't wait until Seth reads it.
heidi-thanks for the support and I will begin checking domain names asap. By the way have you seen my OP shorts? I plan on wearing them all summer!
ashley-thanks for the compliment. now support your manand his thighs!
phillip-thanks dad... if I remember the 80's right you were rocking some sweet man thigh!
kalex-I plan on that tan line being gone by May. Nair for short shorts.
Angie-You are quite welcome... now that Seth is running more we need to get him some nice Coach Belt style running shorts
I saw Dan Fogelberg's man thighs once up at the hotel. He was at the pool tanning his ivory inner thighs. It was harrowing.
Look, equal thigh rights sounds great on paper, but there are some tough realities to consider. With this great right comes a responsibility, and we need to ask ourselves, before we commit to this crusade, are the men of the world smart enough to govern their own thighs? And when we determine that they are not, are we ready to see the thighs of EVERY man who wants to show them? Is it so important for the good thighs (Travis and Magnum P.I. for example) to see the light of day that we are willing to view countless bad thighs (Dan Fogelberg and myself for example)? Could the bad thighs cause such lasting harm as to legitimately effect the rights of those who, against their will, viewed the thigh?
These are though questions.
In the end, Travis may be right. We may well conclude that any man with thighs, who has a desire to show them, should be free act on that desire. But let us not be ignorant of the price.
Hopefully www.savemanthigh.org will have a section on autonomy.
John- I appreciate your thoughtful perspective as we embark on this quest. However, have you considered the following?
1. Ask yourself, why were Dan Fogelberg's thigh's so white? Likely, because he had been hiding them for so long. He was freeing them and you had the fortune to witness it.
2. You yourself sound like self loathing man thigh victim. I wonder if you have been verbally attacked for your man thigh in the past. Because of this, I question your ability to even decide the beauty of your fellow man thigh (Dan Fogelberg and yourself included).
3. The quality of the manthigh is irrelevant. Did women restrict the scope of their equality based on examples like Paris Hilton? Did African Americans restrict their quest for equality based on examples like Barry Bonds?
4. I remember your man orca triathlon shorts at the 2003 Salem Spring Tri. You were so happy and free.
Find it again John... find it again.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
With Tom Selleck hosting Revlon this year, maybe I can ask him to help support your campaign.
I've heard a lot about this man thigh movement and find it quite intriguing. Even before Magnum we had the shirtless guys with cutoff levis that were so short the pockets hung down below the shorts. I never wore shorts as so described but I do have a story to share at another time concerning a Manhattan Hometown Fair 10k race in 1990. It was all Kathryn's fault. But I digress... anyway, at this time, I must declare myself undecided regarding my support of this movement. It may take us down a slippery slope that could be quite ugly if not alarming. I will continue to ponder the ramifications of the return of the man thigh and let you know what I discover. Til next time,
The Captain
Whit-I wish I could have heard that laughter out loud. Before you get too serious with Linguine you may want to find out his stance on this important man thigh movement.
Captain Bruce- I feel total elation that this post would warrant a comment from an 80's legend and Magnum PI look alike such as yourself. I wish I could have seen the "Bruce" man thighs in action as a Mira Costa Mustang basketball star. I am guessing those golden and green shorts were about 5 inches long.
If you still harbor any ill will to Kathryn and the 10k incident remember that any pain you endured was because she wanted your man thighs to be free to run as fast as they could.
I too fear the slippery slope but feel we must try. Keep pondering, your insights are invaluable.
Trav you really are the best. After I read the last sentence of your soliloquy it gave me the biggest smile and left me laughing. I love your creativity. Only would you Trav think of something so ingenious as the man thigh. I support your campaign as long as all men's thighs look like yours!
Hi Travis,
I am John Connors friend, and he invited me to read this post and said that it would be "right up my ally" and "something I could relate too".
Your words have surfaced feeling I did not know I was capable of. I too have been shamed on the occasions that I have shown my "Man Thighs". I have been browbeaten by a society that frowns at the presence of the milky white thighs I call beautiful. You have put into word the inner most feeling of my soul. I too will join your quest.
Bravo Travis, Bravo!
Sorry I didn't comment sooner as soon as i saw this post i went to the gym and started doing squats and lunges i've literally been doing them for 72 hours straight i'm actually writing this comment on my blackberry. The salem spring wont know what hit them bulging quads and the speedo to end all speedos. This movement has some momentum i can feel it.
Oh Travis...I am always supportive of something that has been suppressed by "the man" but this is something very serious. i'm proud that you have taken up the mantle of fighting for this cause. You are truly a pioneer. When future children look to the man thigh movement who will be it's leaders? M.J.? Magnum? Michael Phelps (I swear he wore a speedo once) Nay, I believe it will be Travis Snyder. Maybe we can get Sissin to transfer her mania for Darfur to the Manthigh movement?
I'm afraid of this movement. But if Tom Selleck doesn't want to be your spokesman I bet Will Ferrell would do it. I've never seen a man more proud of his man thighs. Except maybe you.
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