The problem is with men. I know I shouldn't say this, but

In the words of John Galliano, “The problem is with men. I know I shouldn’t say this, but they’ve shrouded and hidden women to hide their incompetence.” we hear the cry of one who, though an artist of fashion, touched upon a truth much deeper than garments. Galliano speaks of the long history in which men, fearing to reveal their own inadequacies, sought to diminish women, not because women were weak, but because women were powerful. By veiling their voices, confining their presence, and suppressing their potential, men sought to preserve their fragile illusions of superiority. His words are both accusation and revelation, pointing to the cowardice behind centuries of domination.

The origin of this truth lies in the age-old pattern of patriarchy. Throughout history, in many lands and cultures, women were restricted—not merely for protection, but for control. They were shrouded, literally in clothing and metaphorically in silence, their talents hidden, their ambitions stifled. Why? Because to allow their brilliance to shine would expose the mediocrity of many men who held power. Better to keep women unseen than to risk being overshadowed. Galliano’s lament cuts to the heart of this deception: oppression as a mask for incompetence.

History gives us vivid examples. Consider the story of Hypatia of Alexandria, the philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer of late antiquity. Her wisdom drew crowds, her knowledge surpassed that of her male peers, and her influence reached the highest circles of learning. But in the end, she was destroyed by men who could not endure her prominence, who cloaked their fear in religious fervor. By silencing her, they sought to hide their own inadequacy. Hypatia’s death reveals what Galliano names: that the shrouding of women has too often been the refuge of insecure men.

And yet, when women have broken through these veils, the world has been transformed. From Marie Curie uncovering the mysteries of radiation, to Rosa Parks igniting a revolution by refusing to surrender her seat, to countless unnamed mothers, writers, healers, and leaders—the brilliance of women has illuminated the incompetence of those who tried to confine them. Every such act of courage is proof that Galliano’s charge is not fantasy, but fact: that fear, not truth, built the prisons around women.

The deeper meaning of Galliano’s words is that true strength is not found in suppressing others, but in allowing their gifts to flourish. Men who hide women’s light do not reveal superiority, but expose weakness. To shroud another is to admit one’s own inadequacy. The wise man, by contrast, is not threatened by the brilliance of women, but elevated by it. Just as a flame burns brighter when joined by others, so humanity shines most when all voices, male and female, are heard.

The lesson for us, O listener, is clear: never cloak another’s gifts out of fear of your own weakness. Do not silence others to preserve your pride, for such pride is hollow. If you are a man, do not view women’s advancement as your loss, but as humanity’s gain. If you are a woman, do not allow yourself to be hidden—step boldly into the light, for every step you take reveals the falsehood of those who sought to contain you.

As for practical action: support equality not in word alone but in deed. In workplaces, in families, in schools, demand that women’s voices be heard and honored. Encourage their leadership, celebrate their triumphs, and expose the hypocrisy of those who would keep them concealed. In your own heart, examine whether you are tempted to shroud others for fear of being outshone, and replace that fear with the courage to grow alongside them.

Thus, Galliano’s words endure as both rebuke and challenge: the problem is with men who sought to cover women to hide their own flaws. But the solution lies with us all—men and women together—to tear away the veils of fear and incompetence, and to walk forward in the shared brilliance of equality. For only when no one is hidden will humanity at last reveal its full strength.