The irony of people who repeat homophobic phrases like “pause” and “no homo” is that in trying to distance yourself gay sex is CONSTANTLY on your mind. It's honestly exhausting, bewildering, and shocking people can not see it. Thank you for the well written share.
This is a phenomenal piece. “Who would I be if I unlearned all the things I’ve learned without my permission?" is such an important question. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you so much for reading & sharing such kind words! Punch Me Up to the Gods is an incredible book. Absolutely would recommend. I wish I could’ve shared every line Brian Broome wrote.
"As bell hooks wrote in The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love, 'No male successfully measures up to patriarchal standards without engaging in an ongoing practice of self-betrayal.'"
I've got this same passage highlighted in my copy of the book.
"I picked up mannerisms and speech patterns that don’t make me less of a man; they expand upon what manhood can be." So so beautiful. I loved reading this. Thank you for sharing, Alex :)
This was soooooo good!! A great reflection on Black masculinity, nuance, definitely resonated with me growing up with so many women making significant impact on me and still growing up with hyper masculine standards. And the ending was the best way to balance it. Thank you for this
“The first act of violence that patriarchy demands of males is not violence toward women. Instead patriarchy demands of all males that they engage in acts of psychic self-mutilation, that they kill off the emotional parts of themselves. If an individual is not successful in emotionally crippling himself, he can count on patriarchal men to enact rituals of power that will assault his self-esteem.”
bell hooks
Your piece feels like a passageway toward rituals of truer power that include & recentrate “expand”ing renditions of manhood/ masculine expression beyond the confines of patriarchal cages.
The irony of people who repeat homophobic phrases like “pause” and “no homo” is that in trying to distance yourself gay sex is CONSTANTLY on your mind. It's honestly exhausting, bewildering, and shocking people can not see it. Thank you for the well written share.
That’s it ☝🏽 like brothers you’re not doing what you’re trying to do. Thank you so much for reading!
This is a phenomenal piece. “Who would I be if I unlearned all the things I’ve learned without my permission?" is such an important question. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you so much for reading & sharing such kind words! Punch Me Up to the Gods is an incredible book. Absolutely would recommend. I wish I could’ve shared every line Brian Broome wrote.
Absolutely adding it to my TBR, thanks for the recommendation!
Of course!
"As bell hooks wrote in The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love, 'No male successfully measures up to patriarchal standards without engaging in an ongoing practice of self-betrayal.'"
I've got this same passage highlighted in my copy of the book.
Really hoping to reread it this year!
"I picked up mannerisms and speech patterns that don’t make me less of a man; they expand upon what manhood can be." So so beautiful. I loved reading this. Thank you for sharing, Alex :)
Thank you, Nikki! So grateful you took the time to read it 🥹🥲
Welp... I cried
Wait we can’t both cry
This is so good!!🔥🔥
Thank you, Amy! I appreciate you making the time to read this one!
This was soooooo good!! A great reflection on Black masculinity, nuance, definitely resonated with me growing up with so many women making significant impact on me and still growing up with hyper masculine standards. And the ending was the best way to balance it. Thank you for this
Thank you, Onyi! I’m so grateful you made the time to read this one, and I’m glad it connected with you!
As HOV might say: Yeah, A, talk that shit.
Just took me back to the Jeezy snowman tee I convinced my mom to buy me in middle school. Thanks for the love 🙏🏽
Well, damn. This is good.
Ah thank you!!!
Loved this one. A lot of great references sprinkled throughout, which helps tell your story. Well done!
Thank you, Nick. I appreciate you!
Talk that talk. Loved this on so many levels. Glad I found this, and glad I found you.
Thank you for reading, Marc! So happy to meet you!
Very interesting and thought-provoking piece Alex, got me really thinking.
Thank you so much for reading, I really appreciate it!
“The first act of violence that patriarchy demands of males is not violence toward women. Instead patriarchy demands of all males that they engage in acts of psychic self-mutilation, that they kill off the emotional parts of themselves. If an individual is not successful in emotionally crippling himself, he can count on patriarchal men to enact rituals of power that will assault his self-esteem.”
bell hooks
Your piece feels like a passageway toward rituals of truer power that include & recentrate “expand”ing renditions of manhood/ masculine expression beyond the confines of patriarchal cages.
Thank you.