The documentary was great and allowed me to learn a lot of things, it discuss multiples topics about about men in a very interesting way. For example, it really surprised me to see how men who have never been given the chance to express themselves on their masculinity could have a deep analysis and understanding of the wrongs that have hurt them; even if they have commited serious crimes, the prisoners understand that part of the problem comes from the fact that man grows to fit into a very specific mold created by society and if you don’t fit into this mold, you’ll be rejected. I also have been hit by how boys in high school really feels a constant pressure to look strong, confident, stoic and how they can’t show any signs of weakness; but as soon as you allow them to ” open up”, they immediatly allow themselves to show weaknesses and their true-self, which means that everyone undergo the damages of masculinity.
About Gomez’s book, I found the part where he goes to the Palladium during the gay night and where he was intrigued by what he saw pretty close to what the documentary was talking about. Since homosexuality is taboo and no one is allowed to ask about it, when he entered the club,he was introduced to a place where homosexuality was not something to hide and he got really shocked and thought about it multiple days. It is about the same in the documentary where as soon as you start questionning sexuality or not acting strong, rough or something considered as ” manly”, you are considered gay or not man enough.
Lovers and Fighters | Section 22 