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Ok, Then: Esquire Celebrates George Wallace, Great American Male

by Alex Alvarez | 4:09 pm, July 1st, 2011

» 14 comments

As the folks over at Bitch magazine’s blog pointed out earlier today, there’s something a little bit… off… about Esquire‘s list of “36 Reasons It’s (Still) Good to Be an American Man.” I mean, yes, it’s odd that the magazine would deem certain high points in America’s culture — like nitrate-rich meat products, artificial popcorn toppings and great comedic American comedian who does comedy, Jon Stewart — as being solely for the consumption and eventual heart failure of American men, but it’s also quite strange that the magazine would choose to include former Alabama governor George Wallace as a reason why it is (still) great to be an American male.

While Wallace would later renounce his original take on the issue, the man is still perhaps most famous for being pro-segregation. So of all the many, many American politicians and leaders who have risked so much to provide a better future for this nation, why choose a man who once proudly declared that “In the name of the greatest people that have ever trod this earth, I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever” and who explained his focus on racial issues by saying that “I tried to talk about good roads and good schools and all these things that have been part of my career, and nobody listened. And then I began talking about niggers, and they stomped the floor”? *Collar pull.* Rubbing nitrates into the wound is the fact that civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. appears on the same list. Yes: George Wallace comes up two slides behind MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. on a list of reasons why being an American male is still awesome despite things like feminism and a revised food pyramid.

I reached out to the slideshow’s creator, sports and politics writer Charles P. Pierce, in an effort to answer my question (Specifically: “WTF?”), but he didn’t get back to me in time for posting. I will most certainly update, however, if and when he responds.

In the meantime, go watch some sports and consume a steak or three. For America.

h/t Bitch Magazine blog

Bitch Magazine, Esquire, George Wallace

Nature Freak

Esquire meant comedian George Henry Wallace and posted the wrong photograph.

I am probably wrong.
Nature Freak

In Birmingham they love the governor
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Tell the truth

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I’m coming home to you
Here I come Alabama
Alex Alvarez

Nature Freak said:
Esquire meant comedian George Henry Wallace and posted the wrong photograph.

I am probably wrong.

Laughing at my desk. Kudos.
Nature Freak

Alex Alvarez said:
Laughing at my desk. Kudos.

Thank you Alex.
Nature Freak

Alex Alvarez said:
Laughing at my desk. Kudos.

I went through the photographs again, paying more attention to the words on the right. Charles P. Pierce’s photo montage would be fun to deconstruct for an assignment if I was still in college.

There is a statement being made. I think I understand what the statement is. I would be interested where Charles P. Pierce’s politics lie.

This male finds his list to be one dimensional. Men are a diverse lot. There is the slight possibility the article by Pierce may be tongue in cheek and satirical. This may be being to generous towards Mr. Pierce.
The Lantern of Truth

I’d have replaced Hemingway with Raymond Chandler
Stewart with Jack Benny
The Mustang with a 1966 GTO

and all the stupid men’s cold cream ads .
Nature Freak

The Lantern of Truth said:
I’d have replaced Hemingway with Raymond Chandler
Stewart with Jack Benny
The Mustang with a 1966 GTO

and all the stupid men’s cold cream ads .

Jack Benny and a 1966 GTO are good choices. Classics.
I prefer Hemingway over Chandler. But to be honest , I am not familiar with Raymond Chandler except for Philip Marlowe.

George Wallace is a controversial choice to say the least.. At least my understanding is Wallace changed his mind and repented at the end of his life. He did not die a segregationist. Wallace even forgave his attempted assassin in the 1990′s. I remember driving through Alabama with my dad in 1985 as a 14 year old and seeing his picture on the wall of the welcome center at the Florida Alabama line. My father pointed him out to me, but I knew who he was then (he was still a household name in the South). I still have the road map with Wallace on the back packed away somewhere.
gaoshu777

Wonderful.

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david r

I was a teenager when he was first on the scene. Nothing remotely great or even commendable about the man.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Danny-Ross/100002149217620 Danny Ross

I always liked George Wallace, at least before he was shot and recanted his views on segregation. However politically incorrect it may be to say it, I don’t see USA 2011 as a better place to live in than USA circa 1955. Of course, I’m a “white” male, which may color my perceptions, but I don’t remember nearly as many governmental restrictions on conduct, and I don’t remember nearly as many crimes against persons.
http://none pyrope

I recall one astoundingly correct observation made by George C. Wallace that has become more true over time and, if you will, proof that he had vision:

“There’s not a dime’s worth of difference between the Democrat and Republican Party.”

I think he said that back in ’68 and at the time it seemed like he was wrong. He was not.
http://none pyrope

pyrope said:
He was not.

As things have turned out, at least.
skyfet

So deeply people are still the same.
Charles P. Pierce

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I was surprised to see excerpts of a 2001 list I complied for the print edition of Esquire had been included, edited and added to in a recent web slideshow. The list, a post 9/11 reflection, was complied with input from other Esquire writers and editors and was promoted on the December 2001 cover as “162 Greatest Things About America.” It included not only celebratory but ironic observations. Anyone interested in the original pierce can find it here http://www.esquire.com/cover-detail?year=2001&month=12# and here http://www.esquire.com/ESQ1201-DEC_AMERICA?click=main_sr