Taking The Macho

Taking the Macho

Even though the dictionary defines macho as the male of the species, it subconsciously means no fear. Throughout history, women warriors have fought and led troops into battle. History's first mention of a race of warrior women is found in Homer's ILIAD, an account of the Trojan War, probably written in the 8th or 7th century B.C.. A race of women so fierce, they mated with defeated males and kept only the female children they bore. They were not the “traditional” definition of a woman, so they were labeled as macho in the 15th century.

Whether it’s going into battle, flying blind, stepping out into space, or facing a bull, when it is done the fear is gone. The participants are still macho for doing it, even though the males are usually the only ones to carry the title. A great example of this is Joan of Arc; she led the entire French army into battle at the age of 17. She did what previous commanders could not do by lifting a siege in only nine days. Physical acts are not the only place where being macho is realized.

In the article, Taking the Macho, Judith Ortiz Cofer talks about how a writer is also macho because “Writing exposes me to the world, daring it to accept me in spite of the fact that I have an overwhelming need to expose its many foibles and failings.” (67) A female writer never knows if her work will be accepted by the masses yet continues she must. As in days long gone, female writers still fight the male constraints that plague them. The mind needs to be free of the chain that binds in order to create.