Enioluwa slams creators mocking effeminate men for clicks
Nigerian media personality and content creator Eni Adeoluwa, popularly known as Enioluwa, has spoken against ridiculing men perceived as effeminate to generate online engagement.
The influencer and actor, while reacting to the online discussions about videos from a recent fashion show, advised men whose dressing or mannerisms attract public attention to be cautious when granting interviews.
He warned that some content creators prioritise clicks and online engagement over responsible storytelling, adding that some interviewers edit footage in ways that expose their subjects to public ridicule without considering the possible consequences for their safety.
“It’s interesting how people attend fashion shows, pick out videos of men dressed a certain way, put them together, and suddenly the conversation becomes. We are losing our men. Meanwhile, that same fashion show has plenty of men wearing regular shirts and trousers, but those videos rarely get the same attention. It is a FASHION SHOW. A FASHION SHOW! Nobody is losing anything,’’ he wrote.
Enioluwa also added that people seeking men who fit their definition of masculinity could find them at stadiums or gyms rather than targeting others for their appearance.
“If you want to see men who fit your definition of “masculinity,” go to a stadium on a Saturday, visit the gym near your house, and have a field day. You’ll record men who work in hair salons, men who are tailors, fashion designers, and others in the creative space, and post their videos online as clickbait, knowing full well that people will try to ridicule them. You’ve been going to hair salons all your life. You know that many of the men who work there are effeminate. You know the same is true of some men in fashion and other creative industries. You know this! So why are you suddenly acting surprised?,’’ he added.
Enioluwa also urged people to stop assuming the role of morality police, urging them to examine their own conduct instead of making others the subjects of public ridicule.
“There are millions of men who fit your definition of masculinity. Focus on them if you wish but stop making a spectacle of those who don’t. Stop deliberately singling people out, turning them into content and exposing them to public ridicule simply because they don’t fit your idea of what a man should be. These people are simply working, earning a living and minding their own business. Let them be! Don’t make videos of them,’’ he added.