1/10
For the neanderthals who didn't get the memo at the dawn of time, No!, women are not "objects," or "playthings," & they don't exist 2 be at a man's beck and call. No one does. This is the problem we're dealing with as a society. A thread on toxic masculinity.
01:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
2/10
Generation upon generation of males have been indoctrinated by the fallacy of male dominance - whether they succumbed 2 it or not - promoted by a self-proclaimed hierarchy. That deeply rooted disease must be eradicated at its source - men.
01:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
3/10
Growing up under the "JohnWayneification" of this country where male dominance was/is narcissistically glorified at delusional levels, I didn't realize at the time how much boys like me were inundated with debilitating messages of strength, aggression, control, superiority, & fearing "weakness."
01:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
4/10
When you're taught from birth 2 be patriarchal, 2 embrace being THE breadwinner, THE provider, THE head of household, THE protector, THE toughest, THE strongest, THE final word, THE man, you can lose all sense of reality while trying to achieve those ends under toxic messaging.
01:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
(Edited)
5/10
It took me years to recognize that contamination in myself & it is daily work - doses of mental & spiritual medicine - to keep it from ruling my being.
01:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
6/10
That's the problem a lot of men have, especially of a certain age, coming 2 terms not only with what you were taught & exposed 2, but having the wherewithal 2 do the work 2 rid yourself of decades of that radioactive exposure & indulgence.
For me, all of this was complicated by race.
For me, all of this was complicated by race.
01:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
7/10
As a Black man, learning these things while being deemed a second-class citizen only compounded the mental assault of "male dominance" in a society that treated you like a "boy" no matter your age. I've often thought this phenomenon contributes greatly 2 homophobia raging in our communities.
01:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
8/10
Like all things involving an oppressor & the oppressed, the voices of those oppressed by patriarchy must be heard, but men, the oppressors in this instance, own the work 2 be the loudest voices calling for & actively working 2 tear down structures of patriarchy, 2 end toxic masculinity.
01:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
9/10
Adult men must help destroy toxic masculinity in order for coming generations 2 be empowered 2 do the same until it is no more. That is our charge & our responsibility if WE despise what WE were taught, exposed 2 & feel any sense of paying that revelation forward.
01:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
10/10
Young boys/men must be shown a different way 2 think, act, interact, & be, not just with women, but with whoever they encounter so those interactions aren't defined by archaic structures of masculinity, but by their own, genuine definition of their maleness, free from shackles of dominance & control
01:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
In response to André Ware.
I'm glad this came up. I was struck in August Wison's JITNEY by how much of the interaction between the older males & younger ones was about letting go of messages that mess you up: having pride in yourself, treating women better, not letting racism make excuses for your shortcomings. Short sermons.
02:54 PM - Apr 07, 2024
In response to André Ware.
This makes me realize that we ALL need to fight for something. I fight to not become the malignant narcissist my mother was. We all need to fight for ourselves. We all need to fight FOR each other. How much easier would it be not to fight alone.
Thank you.
Thank you.
09:11 AM - Dec 10, 2023
In response to André Ware.
I concur 100%. Having been raised by a father who was afflicted with toxic masculinity all of my life, until he died 3yrs ago, I must admit that it damaged my psyche, & took years of therapy for me to Somewhat come to terms with. Still trying to heal at nearly 68yrs old. 🥺
11:40 PM - Dec 09, 2023
In response to André Ware.
There is a large group of people in this country, fundamentalist Christians, that hold as a basic tenet that women are subservient to men because God demands it.
11:11 PM - Dec 09, 2023
In response to dmark.
Religion is the amplifier and accelerator of every kind of hate and control, disguised as a message of love, especially misogyny. For me, the work starts with calling out and shedding harmful indoctrination of youth.
09:45 AM - Dec 10, 2023
In response to André Ware.
Good thread. I remember when backlash Gillette got when they did that commercial a few years back. Men showing boys & teens there was a better to think, act, treat each other, themselves etc. Well done advertising. Poorly received by the US male population because of THIS!
11:02 PM - Dec 09, 2023
In response to Young Lesbian Dre.
Remember that too. Transformative change always starts with the small steps. 🙏🏾♥️
11:15 PM - Dec 09, 2023
In response to André Ware.
Wonderful thread. An idea popped in my mind while reading - what about an adult intervention between adult sons and parents. A frank discussion about why these lessons were taught? Each family has stuff but no harm in dealing with it - as a method of healing society.
10:33 PM - Dec 09, 2023
In response to Deb Prothero.
ty! 🙏🏾♥️
Why not, Deb. Any way to start the conversation, get the the message across & hopefully open eyes is a postitive all the way around, imho.
Why not, Deb. Any way to start the conversation, get the the message across & hopefully open eyes is a postitive all the way around, imho.
10:44 PM - Dec 09, 2023
In response to André Ware.
This is wonderful and thank you for your clarity and fearlessness.
08:58 PM - Dec 09, 2023
In response to André Ware.
In many instances men have become lazy and resentful of successful women instead of embracing it. What's not to like about having a brilliant, well educated, productive partner to enhance your life. It's not, or should not be, a competition. Find another woman without that drive.
08:56 PM - Dec 09, 2023
In response to Florida Redhead.
Tru, couldn't agree with you more, & let's not forget the threatened factor. So many toxic constructs concerning gender roles that must be dealt with.
09:01 PM - Dec 09, 2023
In response to André Ware.
Well said Andre! It is definitely work, unlearning decades of “training”, and progress is not linear. But it must be done by more of us.
02:03 PM - Dec 09, 2023
In response to Kirk Taylor.
ty! I 100% agree, Kirk! WE all have work to do! 🙏🏾👊🏾
02:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
