A Real Man

“Men – It’s time to rewrite the painful and outdated definition of what we’ve been taught it means to be man. We’ve been hurting ourselves for too long and the time has come for a shift in our consciousness. We’re taught that it’s not ok to express most of our emotions or to cry, so we learn to suppress. We’re taught that we shouldn’t need help and that we should know all the answers so we do it alone. We’re taught that we shouldn’t be weak or vulnerable so we learn to hide behind aggression. We’re taught that we should be tough and hard and that we should all look like gladiators, be able to kick everyone’s ass, or women won’t want us, we’ll be lesser men. We’re taught that we’re supposed to be gods in bed without ever being taught how or even how to connect with a woman. Porn is the new sex ed. We’re taught that women are objects and to feel shame at our own feminine energies. We’re taught that we’re all against each other, and that we’re supposed to win, alone, and when we don’t we are shamed. We’re shamed for all of it. As boy’s, many of us are shamed more than we are loved. It’s taking it’s toll. Mass shootings, alcoholism, domestic violence, homophobia, bullying, drug addiction, apathy, disempowerment, diabetes, heart disease, all affect men at a disproportionate rate and all, I believe, can be traced back to emotional suppression and shame. It’s time to get real. It’s on us to fix this. No one else can.

← All talks