André Ware
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thread 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
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André Ware
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thread 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
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André Ware
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thread 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
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André Ware
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thread 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)
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André Ware
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thread 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
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André Ware
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thread 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.
01:08 PM - Dec 09, 2023
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André Ware
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thread 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
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André Ware
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thread 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
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André Ware
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thread 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
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André Ware
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thread 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
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RealGee
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The craziness is, as thorough is the thread is, it is the beginning of the needed dialog.

Our comfort zones and positions that we choose to agree with will stop a lot of people from this self reflection. Generally, it's the people who most need it.
In response to André Ware.
09:41 AM - Dec 10, 2023
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