Blog 16

“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway”

 

    In her piece, About Men, Ehrlich introduces us to cowboys from a less Hollywood perspective. When I imagine a cowboy I picture John Wayne or some Lone Ranger-type of a guy. Tough and strong, a hero on a horse. Cowboys are portrayed to appear this way but as Ehrlich explains, they are heroes but without the tough-guy ego. 

    According to the author, cowboys do more than round up the herd at sundown. They are midwives and caretakers. They love what they do and take pride in who they are. Cowboys care about each animal they keep and never complain or take a joke about their lives as ranchers. Cowboys never whine about the early hours or late nights. They, well, take it like a man. 

    Proud and hardworking-yes they are. But when it comes to affection and display of emotions, they have a rough time showing how they feel. It's not that they don't feel anything, it's just that they are around their animals and on the range so often that people leave  them to be at a loss for words. 

    Ehrlich's use of tone makes her opinion crystal clear. She changes her tone quickly to counter stereotypical views of cowboys. She uses personal experience and direct quotes from ranchers she has met and spoken to. 

    Cowboys are often misunderstood, but they are respectful people. Everything they do, they do it with sincerity in their minds and tenderness of heart.