Thank you for inviting me into this conversation, Kate! Iām so grateful for the work you do and how you give us permission to return to ourselves šš½
This is such a great read, and such an important series. It can feel really overwhelming to navigate this moment when people are pushing back against patriarchy, because in the push-back I worry that men, particularly young men still figuring things out, can feel criticized in ways that aren't constructive. I'm coming at this from the perspective of a mom to a young man. I know it's a confusing world, and I don't always know how best to support him, and how to keep an open dialogue about the conflicting messages and harms of patriarchy without just sounding like his crazy feminist mom. I want him to trust that his family will alway be a refuge for him, but sometimes I worry that he feels like he has to be a different version of himself out in the world than he is here at home. I want for him to live a whole life with all the parts in harmony. Conversations like there are so important. Thank you.
Thank you for this comment, Tara. Reminds me of some of bell hooks' words in "The Will to Change" about loving maleness. Also, this excerpt: "The crisis facing men is not the crisis of masculinity, it is the crisis of patriarchal masculinity. Until we make this distinction clear, men will continue to fear that any critique of patriarchy represents a threat.ā
All of us are harmed by restrictive instructions about gender and sexuality. I know that was hard to see when I was younger because I just wanted to be accepted, but it's been beautiful to learn that there are people, especially men, who can and will accept me as I am. It's meaningful that you have these dreams for your son. I hope he feels that. Thank you again.
Thank you for inviting me into this conversation, Kate! Iām so grateful for the work you do and how you give us permission to return to ourselves šš½
THANK YOU! This was such a beautiful, insightful read and I am so honored you shared your words and feelings here. Thank you, Alex, just so dang much!
I had so many tumbling thoughts reading this, tears welling up, but I think you've also said everything I wanted to say right here: One of the greatest and most needed gifts right now is just that, giving one another permission to return to ourselves. Thank you. ā¤ļøāš©¹
This is such a great read, and such an important series. It can feel really overwhelming to navigate this moment when people are pushing back against patriarchy, because in the push-back I worry that men, particularly young men still figuring things out, can feel criticized in ways that aren't constructive. I'm coming at this from the perspective of a mom to a young man. I know it's a confusing world, and I don't always know how best to support him, and how to keep an open dialogue about the conflicting messages and harms of patriarchy without just sounding like his crazy feminist mom. I want him to trust that his family will alway be a refuge for him, but sometimes I worry that he feels like he has to be a different version of himself out in the world than he is here at home. I want for him to live a whole life with all the parts in harmony. Conversations like there are so important. Thank you.
Thank you for this comment, Tara. Reminds me of some of bell hooks' words in "The Will to Change" about loving maleness. Also, this excerpt: "The crisis facing men is not the crisis of masculinity, it is the crisis of patriarchal masculinity. Until we make this distinction clear, men will continue to fear that any critique of patriarchy represents a threat.ā
All of us are harmed by restrictive instructions about gender and sexuality. I know that was hard to see when I was younger because I just wanted to be accepted, but it's been beautiful to learn that there are people, especially men, who can and will accept me as I am. It's meaningful that you have these dreams for your son. I hope he feels that. Thank you again.
ā¤ļø
Thank you creating space for this conversation!
Alex is my guy and it's beautiful to hear him share his story and experience moving away from the harmful ideals patriarchy embodies.
Thank you for spending your precious time with it! Alex's words are so powerful, and so important!
Love you, fam. Thank you.
Love you too my guy!
Never thought I'd find something that existed at the nexus of my interests like this: a discussion of modern manhood and the musings of Alex Lewis.
Alex is an absolute gift!!
I'm blushing š„°š„¹š„²šāāļøš
Loved this, Alex, thank you.
"I donāt think Iāve ever felt like Iām enough when performing patriarchy."
Amen!
Thank you, John. I appreciate you making the time to read. Looking forward to reading your thoughts in a couple of weeks!
That line HIT me. Such a good piece. I am so honored to know such men. (This includes you, John! In case that was unclearš)
You might see that line again in a couple of weeks!