Perfecting the art of manliness: Louisville’s newest title is deserved

By Ian A. Wooldridge–

Horseracing, baseball and bourbon are certainly manly activities. These Louisville attractions, amongst others, convinced GQ Magazine to name Louisville its “manliest” city – even dedicating a full one-page article to the city in its March issue. Louisville is the northern-most southern city, and the southern-most northern city, allowing for it to have just enough of that southern charm and hospitality, and just enough of that northern intellect and wit. With these interesting combinations, I believe the Derby City is well deserving of its “manliest” title.

The reasoning is accurate. When people think of horse racing, baseballs and bourbon, most think of rich, strong men. But the beautiful thing about this city is that it is much more than just business, sport and liquor. And yes, these are certainly manly things that contribute to making Louisville what it is, but I think GQ missed out a little on an aspect that is beautiful about this city.

Louisville is a very artsy and cultural city with it being home to museums, art galleries and festivals, performing arts studios, theatres and much more. On the surface, femininity usually comes to mind in respect to the arts.

But in all reality and on a deeper level, there is a very manly quality to the arts. Artistic expression is a very personal endeavor, allowing for the artist to share and tell about their deepest emotions, thoughts, feelings, etc. As an artist myself, I can attest to the fact that you have to be honest, courageous and fearless when creating and expressing your art, whatever that art may be.

Honesty, courage and bravery are most definitely manly features. Louisville is even seen as an artistic hub for Kentucky. So while the business of horse racing, the sport of baseball and the love for quality liquor contribute to Louisville’s more apparent masculine features, the city’s cultural influence and artistic nature contribute to the more subtle, sensitive and romantic part of the “man,” therefore completing the “man” and making him well-rounded.

Lastly, how can we leave out some of Louisville’s historically manly figures? To name a few: Mohammed Ali, who is considered “The Greatest”; Paul Hornung, who is one of Louisville’s greatest all-time athletes and who even has a college football award named after him; Phil Simms, who is eligible for induction into the NFL Hall of Fame; and Pee Wee Reese, the greatest baseball player from Louisville, make up just the tip of the iceberg. One simply cannot argue with Louisville’s rich athletic and sport history, and certainly cannot go without thinking of the Kentucky Derby – an event that brings international attention to the city.

I believe GQ Magazine certainly got it right when naming Louisville their “manliest” city. Louisville exemplifies the complete and well-rounded man.

Not only does Louisville possess and display, in this case, the more apparent and obvious manly features, such as horseracing, baseball and bourbon, but it also possesses the sensitive and romantic aspects of the man, such as art and culture, which is essential for a man to be complete and well-rounded. As a Louisvillian, I am very pleased and happy that our city again is either mentioned on a list or tops one. I encourage everyone to check out the GQ article and feel some city pride.