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| Aaron Gouveia and son, Sam (image via Twitter) |
A proud father posted an epic Twitter rant that went viral after his five-year-old son, Sam, was the victim of bullying and ‘toxic masculinity.’
Aaron Gouveia is the proud dad of three sons.
His middle boy, Sam, who Aaron calls a ‘boy’s boy,’ likes all kinds of things. For instance, he’s big on fishing, dirt, trucks and knee drops on the couch.
Sam also likes some 'girl things,' like collecting purses because “he likes to carry things around," and wearing polish on his nails because they “look beautiful.”
I think Sam has great taste in colors, too.
Sam recently wore his red nail polish to kindergarten.
His dad says Sam has “absolutely no concept of nail polish only being for girls or reason to think anyone would possibly have a problem with beautiful nails.”
I'm with you there, Aaron. Sam is rocking that red!
But Sam’s classmates apparently have no sense of individuality or self-expression.
According to Aaron, Sam was “ridiculed for being a boy with nail polish.”
The kids called Sam names all day long and told him he should take it off.
Sam was extremely upset and crying when his mom picked him up from school.
Sam couldn’t understand why the kids made fun of him and was “devastated at how the other kids turned on him.”
When Aaron got a call at work from Sam, who was still crying, dad told him that “his nails are BADASS!” and the only thing Sam should care about is whether HE likes his nails.
I'm liking Aaron more and more here, folks.
But Aaron’s heart broke when Sam asked if his mom would remove the nail polish so the kids at school wouldn’t make fun on him anymore.
Noting Sam’s “huge heart,” Aaron shared his pride that his son has never been afraid to be different because “different has never meant ‘bad.’”
Aaron also pointed out that “this toxic masculinity bullshit is LEARNED,” and learned from parents.
Aaron shared that he and his wife have spent years “preaching tolerance, acceptance, and the importance of expression,” but in just a single day Sam’s classmates were able to teach Sam ‘shame.’
Dad had a long talk with his son, and the upshot was Sam should not only keep wearing his nail polish, but it should be “an even brighter shade tomorrow.”
He also told Sam he should ask the kids why the nail polish got them so wound up.
Alright! Go Aaron, go!
Aaron went on to tell the Twitterverse that his son “is a goddamn fireworks show of a human being” and he had no intention of Sam’s light being diminished by “restrictive bullshit” like this.
Aaron for 'Dad of the Year!'
Dad also rightfully pointed out to Sam that lots of guys like “Thor & Capt. Jack Sparrow” wear nail polish.
He even threw New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in the mix, although he wasn’t too sure of Gronk.
More importantly, though, Aaron told Sam that what other people think doesn’t matter because “what you wear and how you look should make YOU look good.”
Yaassssss!
Not only did Sam decide to leave his nail polish on, his 10-year-old brother painted HIS nails in solidarity.
You know what happened next - Aaron decided to pain HIS nails as well.
Even though the shade, chosen by Sam, is a bit “understated,” dad liked it.
But Sam is sticking with his bright red because “it’s pretty and good luck for the Patriots.”
Aaron wrapped up his Twitter thread saying that even though “intolerant parents and their offspring scored a minor victory,” they would not “win the war.”
Dad signed off with a shout-out to his man, Sam, letting him know he always has his back.
This reminds me of the popular internet meme - “This is Aaron and Sam. They don’t care about other people’s rigid, intolerant views. Be like Aaron and Sam.”
Now, if Rob Gronkowski would just chime in with a pic of his nails painted red, that might just break the internet.
