Letters to Tomorrow ~ Real Men Really Cry

Dear Tomorrow,

Yesterday, I saw a five leaf or rose clover carefully preserved to remind us of its rarity. I have been thinking about the image of the clover and what it means to me. I read a little more about it and its genetic variation and why it is as rare as it is. It reminded me of something else that is rare and though real, hard to find...

Real men who aren't afraid to be real. Men, after all is said and done, are human. Somewhere between boyhood and mantown - that underlying humanity fades. It becomes less than human to something that is willing to hurt fellow humans. I've met men who have been fed messages of hypermasculinity that feed their fragile sense of self. I've known men who wear their hearts on their sleeve, but only when no one's watching. I've seen men who kill every bit of boy left in them to be a version of a man that is suffocating in oppression. I've forgiven men who have hurt me and justified beating the humanity out of them and me. I've loved men who have the strength to be who they want to be and have a sense of their humanity to not destroy someone else's. It takes a whole lot to create a world where people of all genders can be who they want to. Like this piece of writing, I think it's critical to teach boys and men to be emotionally true to themselves. Maybe, just maybe...

Little boys need to hear

no means no

she never asks for it

boys can be boys, girls, rainbows, unicorns, ninjas, ballerinas, boats, lampshades, giraffes,

but they cannot be disrespectful

you are beautiful 

you have the right to comfortable clothing

don't believe oppressive misogynist messages

don't forget how a hug feels

hug

cry, when you need to 

smile, when you want to 

carry a handkerchief - it's good for the earth and for your tears

carry a handkerchief - everyone gets a sniffly nose

unpack your male privilege

Just as little girls need to hear

he needs to know that no means no

you never ask for it

you can be anything you want, but you cannot be disrespectful

you are beautiful, and so much more

you have the right to comfortable clothing (that is not just pink)

it's not what you wear

don't believe oppressive misogynist messages 

you don't have to cry if you don't want to

carry a handkerchief - offer it to a boy when he's crying

leave your heart and story open for male allies

What little boys do not need to hear, say, see modeled...

Man up.

shove those tears down

deep into the hole in your heart

that will calcify and slowly die with 

your fragile masculinity 

Grow a pair.

grab your courage even when your heart breaks

even when your bones collapse under the weight

of every expectation you can't meet

of every message of hypermasculinity

Don't be a girl.

think with your head not your lips

use that mighty prefrontal cortex

set aside that urge to cry

to know when its time to unveil your made up masculinity

अपनी बन्दी को सम्भाल...take charge of your girl.

squeeze her till she can't tell between

I love you

and

I am going to control you

you're at stake

your masculinity trembles with a balance so fine

you better get her to shape up

before she steps out of line

Sissy.

never weaken, never flinch, never shudder

even when you lose everything

pick up a gun

shed those layers

till you find your inner monster

let your masculinity shine

Don't cry.

every tear you shed will wrinkle 

your crisp reputation

your new convertible you ride

your crib you use to invite

girls to your fantasy

where you have it all

you have no questions to answer

no responsibility at all

Show her who wears the pants.

be the boss

of her 

of you, your broken masculinity

show in showy ways that you have your prize

your trophy in a cracked glass shelf

leaving nothing behind but a trail of your 

hardened heart

and dying self

Tomorrow, whatever you are and choose to be - I hope you will find the courage and surround yourself with those who empower you to be who you want to be. Dan and I are constantly practicing, failing, stumbling, and working hard to be the best versions of ourselves. I wish the world were a transformed place that had no hint of oppression and people could just be. I can't promise the world will all be different when you arrive, but I can assure you that I will work hard each day to build a world with you where you can be really real. Whether you are and chose to be a man, woman, rainbow, unicorn, lampshade, giraffe, or an umbrella. Be you, be real. 

Lovingly,

-Suparna

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