Stanley, WOW. This is powerful work and such a path to liberation--for all of us. Because the belief that sexual control/ domination is what's expected cuts men off from their tenderness and vulnerability. And so the veneer of violence and control will persist. I have four sons. I need this work modeled to take heart that their experience of the world will be more expansive and compassionate than men have been previously allowed. My deepest thanks. (PS: loved meeting you!) - The Senator
Senator. It was a pleasure meeting you on Saturday, and thank you for this comment! There's so many layers to this conversation, I want to get to a point where I can unpack it in such a way that everyone can see the connections, but then we have to give people tools. I want the tools that a young Stanley needed and your boys deserve.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I don’t believe we need to spill our pain for others to recognize our humanity. However, it’s your story and others that you share remind us we’re not alone. But more importantly, “let’s not be trash.”
Thank you always for reading, and these comments! This was one of those post where I had to wonder if I wanted to use a bit of my story to help drive a point home. But didn’t want it to become the story. So I’m happy that you and others seem to be receiving it that way.
When I was in grad school for history, an assigned reading was Rethinking Rufus by Thomas Foster...it's a necessary reframing. Thank you.
Also, your newsletter title is genius. Happy to have found you.
Thanks for the recommendation and the compliments !
Stanley, WOW. This is powerful work and such a path to liberation--for all of us. Because the belief that sexual control/ domination is what's expected cuts men off from their tenderness and vulnerability. And so the veneer of violence and control will persist. I have four sons. I need this work modeled to take heart that their experience of the world will be more expansive and compassionate than men have been previously allowed. My deepest thanks. (PS: loved meeting you!) - The Senator
Senator. It was a pleasure meeting you on Saturday, and thank you for this comment! There's so many layers to this conversation, I want to get to a point where I can unpack it in such a way that everyone can see the connections, but then we have to give people tools. I want the tools that a young Stanley needed and your boys deserve.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I don’t believe we need to spill our pain for others to recognize our humanity. However, it’s your story and others that you share remind us we’re not alone. But more importantly, “let’s not be trash.”
Thank you always for reading, and these comments! This was one of those post where I had to wonder if I wanted to use a bit of my story to help drive a point home. But didn’t want it to become the story. So I’m happy that you and others seem to be receiving it that way.
Your aim was on target, as usual. 😊
Not to be misogynistic and to paraphase Roland Martin, women (Especially ATTRACTIVE WOMEN) can get away with things mostly.
We gotta change that, Kenroy