Violence has been a serious issue for a long time. Young teens and adults have used violence as propaganda, to establish the ranks in a class system invented to make everyone feel bad about themselves. Masculinity is an expectation, it’s distancing yourself from the innate According to society men have about three options to prove their manhood: fighting, sex and stoicism. Not only that, but these concepts are constantly around them, they are in movies, in sports, in school and in their personal lives. Masculinity is one of these most restrictive concepts in society. These restrictions create a weak environment for boys to grow up. This weak environment leads to an overload of undealt emotions that lead to self destruction and potentially violent outburst on the rest of society.       

By insinuating fighting, you insinuate violence. People like Brian Burke and Don Cherry believe that fighting is part of the fabric of hockey. And as some put “hockey with fighting? We might as well be figure skating”. It’s so funny to think that the only excuse people have for allowing fighting in hockey is that it’s been that way forever, is just so irritating. And don’t even get me started on, Don Cherry saying if we don’t allow fighting, anger is going to manifest itself in different ways, how about letting these men know that in these cases their actions don’t speak louder than words and that maybe the feelings of anger they sense are really just feelings of stress and frustration, and tell them that those emotions are valid and permissible since they are human. Not only that, children are great imitators, they learn through observation, so saying that these fights do nothing is a total lie. Even the players know what they’re doing, and even if they would prefer not to do it, they still do. It’s the name of the game. But if the death of one person is not enough to draw a line, then we are in way worse condition than I thought. What does living by this ‘Code’ do for these athletes? What happens if they choose not to fight? Do they lose their position or spot on the team? Do they automatically become a target from the opposing teams? Like what happens? Why do they even allow these fights to happen in the first place? And is skating just a sideshow then? Is hockey even about skill? Now, I understand that many other sports like boxing and karate all have fighting at their core but the principle is different. There is no malicious intent in boxing. These fighters do not fight people, they fight opponents. There are probably more regulations for boxing then there are for hockey at this point. Now I like the idea of players protecting their most valuable player/friend but I believe that this violence is organized. These players know that in order to play the game, you need to play by the rules and if the rules say fight is the way to go, then they’re going to do just that. Now fighting may be entertaining but it does nothing for the actual teams. In my opinion, it actually decreases my appreciation for sports in general. Now my bias shines through as I’ve never played a game of hockey in my life but I think I know enough about integrity to understand the contradiction in saying that violence in one form makes it less likely that violence will happen under another.    

The rise of physical and sexual assault in school is crazy, about 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men are affected by sexual violence. Only a fraction of women speak up, even much less for men and when survivors do speak up they forever live a life of shame and fear. Which is not made easier by the fact that most of the time the people responsible walk away scotch free. Violence in schools often goes undocumented out fear that it may smear the school’s reputation. Strange, how an institution responsible for ensuring the safety and wellness of children is doing the exact opposite. In the CBC Gem documentary, all of the kids felt as though they were pushed aside and almost told to toughen up. As if getting the crap beaten out of you or getting raped is something one just ‘gets over’. The schools do nothing, which is a huge slap in the face for victims of violence because it says “we have better things to do then take care of your self inflicted issues that you must have provoked because no student from our school would do such a thing”. Just like in hockey, they allow the violence to prevail. School authorities use their energy hiding these issues rather than solving them, which makes these issues larger as now people are getting away with basically anything. It’s kind of comforting knowing that you’re not the only one being swept under the rug but then again it’s super disappointing knowing that resources are being missed used in the education system. It’s almost like they tend more to the perpetrator’s needs than those of the victim. It’s like, imagine getting shot in the knee and only given a bandaid. There doing the bare minimum, at most.      

Men get too caught up with being a ‘man’ and they forget that they are human beings. The patriarchy has created a list of criteria for what a man is supposed to be and if you don’t meet those criterias, well guess what? You’re not a man, according to this very old, closed minded testimony made by a bunch of old, white, blind men who neglected their own identity in order to be ‘successful’ if you liked to call it that. And believe me when I tell you that deep down, those men probably died miserable. These criteria are the “doing for dummies” of books. One article that stands out to me when talking about all this is Kimmel’s “Masculinity” in which he describes what “doing gender” is. He states “Doing gender is a lifelong process of performances”. That’s right performing. Not living. Not being. These boys are trying to survive in a world that wants them to fail. Something else he says that is super relevant is: “If authenticity for gender rests not in a discoverable nature but in someone else’s proclamation, then the power to proclaim something else is available”. Acting in the way that is commended instead of in the way in which one desires to. Moreso, Kinnel uses the term “masculinities” instead of the singular term, and he does to illustrate the wide range of ways to be masculine and how different those variations are in different societies. Now imagine if we combine all those variations under one umbrella term “masculine”. Not only would it allow for a more comprehensive vision when it comes to what a man is. Both of these documentaries showcase the very result of these binding rules that men follow, allowing this violence to penetrate their very mind makes them think that their emotions of sadness and duress should be channelled into feelings of anger and revolt. The system that allows dangerous men to get away with heinous crimes is the exact same system that let’s down the men who don’t “make the criteria”. Breaking down toxic masculinity is essential to repair our broken system. Showing men that these qualities aren’t feminine, they’re human. And that there is nothing wrong with being just that.                        

This week was International Women’s Week and the class attended two seminars concerning the experiences of Indigenous women and Muslim women in face of racism and discrimination.

The first seminar was on March 2nd and was titled “Climate Change, Pipelines and Violence Against Women” where Lucy Everett and Jen Gobby spoke about the changes in Canada: the installation of the controversial pipeline and its affects on the surrounding Indigenous communities. They mention that not is the land considered for the pipeline project inhabited by Indigenous Communities but it actually belongs to them and is supposed to be protected by law. But somehow the Canadian government has decided it’s its prerogative to do with it as they please, ignoring the promise they made to the Indigenous communities to protect their land and ensure that they do not endure what their past has experienced. They also mention the missing and murdered Indigenous women and how their cases are most of time closed before even being investigated, another way they break their promise to help protect the communities. With quiet protests constantly being shut down, like the ‘Red Dress’ where the red dresses hung from strings meant to commemorate the women are being taken down by very eager police officers, with some even smiling for pictures. They also mention that climate change affects those who are the least responsible for it the most. How the rich fossil fuel and polluting businesses have the ability to afford food and safe housing as well as access to fresh water allows them to not suffer from the effects like someone who lives in poverty.

The second seminar was on March 4th and was titled “Living in the Shadow of Law 21” where Nadia Naqvi and Laity Fary Ndiaye spoke about how Law 21 has affected them and the women around them. For context, Law 21 is the ban of all religious symbols for workers in the public domain such as teachers and police officers. We first hear from Nadia Naqvi, a high school science teacher who has known nothing but being Canadian. She speaks about the discrimination she witnessed her parents endure while she grew up and the discrimination she then faced as well. Discrimination by students and even collegues of hers. She is advocate for Muslim women and has even spoken at meetings and court appearances about overthrowing Law 21. She spoke about how although she is currently immune to the bill under the grandfather clause but is unable to move up in the ranks of her profession due to the bill. We then hear from Laity Fary Ndiaye who is community organizer and a lecturer as well as an advocate for Muslim women. She actively promotes for a more inclusive space for muslim women to be able to thrive. She speaks about how she as a non visible Muslim is affected by criticism she overhears in her life and the surprise others are filled with when they discover she is in fact Muslim. 

Both seminars were very fascinating, as a climate change advocate myself, it was extremely interesting to hear about such current issues in such a well spoken presentation. Ms. Everett presented a very eloquent and expressive presentation on the numerous effects of climate change on the planet and the population. I learned a lot about the situation from an entirely different view point and how it’s not only an environmental issue, it’s a culture and political issue too. As for the second seminar, I learned a very important thing: how the grandfather clause has a very small window of coverage. It only applies to those who say in the exact same spot in their career, which no one does, everyone moves up in their professional lives and knowing that so many people are going to be halted for the simple fact that their religion comes with aesthetic guidelines. What’s even more appalling is that this bill is supposed to protect religious minorities from discrimination but it only protects those who are doing the discriminating. Both women made some very crucial points; one being that we should put a stop to the ones holding prejudiced views, not the ones going about their day acting harmless. And how we need to acknowledge how misogynistic this bill actually is. Although it does affect men who wear visible religious symbols, it is very clear that this bill is directed towards women who wear hijabs and other Muslim clothing items.

I’ve learned a lot over the course of the week that just passed, about the Indigenous communities, religious minorities and the Canadian government. These seminars have given me real life testimonies that allow me to understand the privilege I and so many others are given while so many people suffer the consequences of not filling the mold.

The men in the 4th episode of “Man Enough” have coincidentally reflected on what Micheal Kimmel wrote in his article “Masculinity” about masculinities and the institutions of gender inequalities and bias. They spoke about their relationship to themselves, with their families as well as to the people around them. The following answers are an analysis to those reflections.

1. On page 3 of Micheal Kimmel’s “Masculinity” he writes the following: “Institutions accomplish the creation of gender difference and the reproduction of gender order through several gender processes” and by this he means that institutions have been at the core of gender inequality, institutions such as schools, places of work, media and more. And how those institutions have been reproducing these inequalities on society. What Kimmel is trying to say is that it’s not people who are creating these inequalities, it’s the old-school system that has been fueling many industries that created and continues to establish these inequalities. He mentions that these inequalities affect everyone on the gender spectrum. In relation to the 4th episode of “Man Enough” all of these men are in the public domain as well as the film/music industry, an industry that is very male dominated. They talk about how they see that they have an upper hand in their line of work and how they see women having to compensate for things they didn’t have to in order to get to where they are.

2. In the conclusion to his article, Kimmel writes the following: “Understanding how we do masculinities… opens up the unimaginable possibilities of social change” and he uses the term masculinities instead of masculinity to demonstrate that there is more than one way to be a man and that being a man is a multi- dimensional thing that is not determined by society but by the person who identifies as a man. This quote relates to the 4th episode of “Man Enough” where all the men were talking about their experiences as men with some being victims to sexual abuse and others being witnesses. They also mention their struggles with coming to terms with their masculinity, saying that they thought they had to follow a protocol in order to call themselves a man and how they wished they’d known sooner that that was not the case. Some of them even go on to how now they since they know better they will try to pass on that knowledge to their sons.

A man who is a counter example of patriarchal masculinity in terms of status and success

Joseph f Gordon Levitt

Joseph Gordon Levitt is my favorite person in the world. He is one of the most well rounded actors and potentially people in all of Hollywood. He has starred in so many roles that he is literally a 180 to the stereotypical male celebrity. My favorite thing I think he’s ever done is his beautiful portrayal of Neil McCormick’gay hustler suffering from past of childhood sexual and violent abuse from “Mysterious Skin” or his role in “500 Days of Summer” as hopeless romantic Tom Hansen. His versatility in his career makes him a catch. Now I know what your saying, he’s an actor, he gets paid to act like that and it could have nothing to do with his real personality… but that’s where you’re wrong. The mere fact that he picked those roles shows that he has no shame being pinned as one them, not only that but it definitely gives us insight into his persona. He is definitely one of the most well rounded actors in Hollywood with his flamboyance and charm.

He has been active in the acting world since he was just a little bean; at the age of 4 he played the Scarecrow in a production of The Wizard of Oz. He also did commercial such an adorable pop tart, commercials for Sunny Jim peanut butter and more. His roles include 1992’s “Beethoven”,1998’s “Sweet Jane”,the notable 1999 “10 Things I Hate About You” as well as his role in “Manic” as Lyle, a young boy placed in a medical institution from his mental health issues. His later roles like Don Jon, a porn addict with a unsatisfying sex life. His ability to take on any role is the main reason why I believe he perfect fits the mold or in this case doesn’t fit the mold of patriarchal masculinity. He has played characters that represent the internal conflicts most men keep concealed. He’s dabbled with characters that deal with PTSD, mental health issues, child sexual abuse, the prejudices associated with homosexuality, cancer, rejection, pain, sadness, joy, you name it he’s done it. He really is a shoo in of it all. He is 🥺married to Tasha Mcauley and two beautiful boys.

Overall he’s just an amazing person… his effervescent aurora makes him oh so dreamy and on top that he’s kinda cute. Anywhosies… it’s important that we highlight and celebrate people who express themselves with so much openness and self respect that other people’s opinions don’t actually matter anymore. Not only has he inspired me to be more open and free about self, my personality, my sexuality, etc, he’s also shed a light in a topic that has been shunned in the past, the topic of, that I mentioned in my previous post, that masculinity and femininity are like two sides of the same coin… they are intertwined within each other… there is honestly no such thing as being a man or being a women…. that in the end their is simply being human… and that belongs to every individual who roams the earth.

He identifies as a feminist and thanks his mother for making him the fabulous man he is today. He uses his talent and kindness to achieve his status.

Now despite my overly obvious infatuation with the man I present to you today… he obviously has his shortcomings… but like… isn’t that so human.

Xoxo, Izy Ewart

Stay gorgeous 💋

The story about Carlos has the same message as the documentary that we watched in class: let’s teach our boys that being a man means being human. And as a human being you are allowed to cry, you’re allowed to love and be loved, You have the right to communicate your desires, your wants and your needs within all spheres of life without anyone reprimanding you or making you feel like crap; and if someone does, it had more to do with them than it ever will with you. In the story, Theres a passage that I adore; By buying into the illusion of power afforded by patriarchy, we as heterosexual men do far more than just oppress women and gay men – ultimately we are oppressing ourselves. A lot of guys I know feel the need to choose between being a man and being human but what they fail to realize is that the mold we as a society have crafted for them isn’t that of man, it’s an empty soulless shell that turns into a prison once you enter. Any sign of resistance shut down and silenced. That’s when boys start to devalue their desires, wants and needs. They develop a sense that being feared is more beneficial than being loved. Fear and power go hand in hand, life then turns into a competition, the winner takes it all. But if you constantly have to prove yourself, do you ever actually win? We have to start teaching our children that they loved unconditionally, we have to start telling our friends, our partners that they are loved unconditionally. You know, it’s not the lack of emotions, it’s the lack of emotional support. The documentary mentions that these boys have some much pain bottled up within them and that it’s so emotionally draining constantly having to take care of everything by themselves. Some of the boys have friends they consider outlets for those emotions and that they have a sense of relief knowing that someone is there for them. But a lot of these boys our lone soldiers in the never ending battle of ironic patriarchy. The terms masculine and feminine our quiet literally mirror images of each other, two sides of the same coin;) yet today we’ve stamped them as two different entities. This drives us to believe that there is only one way to be a man, which is completely false. So it’s time we change the narrative of man up. And remember, you’re gorgeous💋

A man that inspires me is David Bowie!!! Not only is he considered one of the most inspirational figures in the music industry, he is also an amazing LGBTQ+ member and ally. He pushed all the boundaries of what it means to be a man, he was not afraid to show his quote on quote “feminine side” and in my words was a literal legend. He has many awards and rightful so. He was never scared to expose himself and despite the prejudice he faced for his forms of self expression, he never let it get to him. Not only is he what it means to be a man but more importantly he’s the pure definition of what it means to be a f human being. He was and still is ICONIC. My favorite songs from him are probably ‘Fashion’ and ‘Let’s Dance’.

David Bowie is widely known for his outrageous outfits and his musical transformation into his altar ego Ziggy Stardust, where he sports a funky getup and a lightening bolt across his face. Songs everybody knows him for are ‘Space Oddity’ and ‘Under Pressure’. As open as he was, Bowie did keep some things about himself personal, like his battle with his health, and in 2016 he lost his battle to liver cancer, which surprising us all, as we weren’t aware of his condition. Leaving behind him was a family, friends, fans and an incredible music career that will forever burn bright.

-Iz Ewart

Pictured below is David Bowie rocking one of his notorious looks:

Tofu stir fry