On Thursday, a crowd gathered outside Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium where political commentator, podcast host and former Homeland Security investigations special agent Myron Gaines held a public debate with Ohio University students.
Gaines is currently on his “Toxic Masculinity Tour," traveling to universities across the U.S. to host a debate table. Discussions focus on topics including feminism, modern dating and current events, according to the official website.
The tour is in collaboration with Uncensored America, a non-profit organization “dedicated to fighting for freedom of speech.”
The event was advertised for 12 p.m. on Uncensored America’s Instagram but was rescheduled for 1 p.m. By 12:30 p.m., the lawn outside MemAud hosted clusters of people.
Students shared a range of opinions about Gaines while waiting for the event to begin.
Ben Okhensky, a sophomore studying business, said he supports the honest conversations Gaines hosts.
“I think it's cool he’s coming to campus,” Okhensky said. “I think everyone should be open to new ideas and hear what other people have to think.”
Before the debate, Logan George, a freshman studying integrated English, said he did not expect Gaines' debate to foster productive conversation.
By 12:50 p.m., attendees began gathering near guardrails set up around the stage. Police and event security stood at either end while staff wired the speakers and hung the tapestry.
At 1:17 p.m., an announcer told the crowd Gaines would arrive in 10 minutes, prompting a mix of applause, boos and heckles.
“It’s a liberal quality to be late to things,” an unidentified man in the crowd said.
Per the announcement, at 1:27 p.m., Gaines arrived on College Green, greeting the crowd with waves and the Nazi salute, a straight-armed gesture banned in some countries for its status as a hate symbol. His entrance drew both support and criticism from those in attendance.
“Number one, women are stupid, Jews control America and Blacks are criminals,” Gaines said during his opening segment.
Gaines later said his comments are meant as generalities, but there are few exceptions.
“By using derogatory language and things like that, you are presenting it in a way that doesn’t open up for civil debate,” a debater said.
Gaines introduced the main topic for discussion, being that he believes s--- shaming should be more prominent in today’s society.
The same debater agreed with Gaines in his fight for freedom, though he believes that s--- shaming would be a contradiction to the ideology due to the restriction of women's actions.
“My thing is more about bringing awareness to this and letting guys understand that just because society accepts her, doesn’t mean you have to accept her, most importantly, as your wife,” Gaines said.
Gaines said he believes high levels of sexual activity in women cause the breakdown of family units, weaken pair bonding, heighten divorce rates and increase out-of-wedlock births.
“I do believe that men should be the providers, and women should be focusing on the kids,” Gaines said.
The first student given the chance to speak was a freshman, who asked Gaines about the power entitled to the Israeli government and Jewish people.
Gaines said he believes the U.S. should not be involved in a conflict with Iran and argued U.S. involvement is influenced by Israel’s threats to attack the U.S. and its power among U.S. politicians.
“I'm glad people are waking up to Israel and the lobby and how powerful they really are,” Gaines said. "I mean, it took a genocide for people to figure it out, but it's a big issue.”
Later, Gaines added his views on Israel have led him to be banned from multiple platforms and venues.
When asked about current deportation policies, Gaines said he supports strengthening border security, arguing it has not been adequately enforced for too long.
“A country without borders is not a country,” Gaines said.
Raegan Elliot, a junior studying political science pre-law and environmental biology, said she was not surprised Gaines visited campus, citing his initiative to generate reactions and create online content.
“It seems to me that him and his beliefs promote toxic masculinity and anti-feminist, anti-women sentiments that are really harmful for young men and young women,” Elliott said.
