On Oct. 27, the “Cry Like A Man” mini-series continued, discussing the painful effects that toxic masculinity can have on society. Held at the High Library, Area Coordinator for Ober and Myer residence halls Eugene Thomas once again hosted the event but with a twist. This time, the event was in a group discussion format, whereas “Cry Like A Man” was a question-and-answer panel that allowed the audience to participate in the end.
Aptly named “Toxic Masculinity,” the discussion allowed for attendees to share their thoughts and experiences on the topic. Including these, the event also gave those who came to the event a chance to talk to others in attendance and participate in their own discussion on thought provoking questions that were meant to challenge attendees’ way of thinking.
“I wanted to understand what other people are thinking and how y’all were feeling, aside from what I’ve constructed,” Thomas said. “I like to make sure that people are participatory in that experience. Their anecdotes, their testimonials are just as important as what I’m putting on. These events can’t happen without the people that show up.”
While the main focus of the event was to address toxic masculinity in todays’ culture, Thomas also intended on having the event acting as a workshop for our thoughts and feelings. Thomas wanted to take time to discuss things such as anxiety, manhood, stress and some of the other social conventions to which people are committed.
While considering what to talk about next in the mini-series, Thomas thought about his own experiences as a man and what it was like growing up. “Growing up as a man, some things just didn’t sit right with me and I really wanted to explore how not only how I felt about it, but how other people feel, and at least entertaining that understanding that of like how might people who might not identify or express the way I do think about this topic, so I really wanted to think about what harm comes from masculinity,” Thomas said.
The discussion touched on a multitude of ideas stemming from masculinity, including the stress and pressure put on males and male-identified people, as well as the idea of how masculinity can affect our way of thinking. Thomas started the discussion by using an article he had written a few years prior which examined the relationship between heterosexuality and hip-hop. This, in turn, allowed the audience to start thinking about masculine attitudes in media that they absorb daily, as well as the masculine attitudes that they see throughout their daily routines. After that, Thomas then challenged attendees to think about the patriarchy and some of the issues that it causes in today’s society.
While “Toxic Masculinity” may be the latest installment in Thomas’ mini-series, it certainly won’t be the last. For those interested in what Thomas has planned next, they’ll be pleased to hear that the next event will be taking place on Nov. 3 in the High Library once again. Among the topics being discussed include, race, racism, anti-racism and manhood. Thomas describes the event as a “critical race perspective” that challenges attendees to think and understand race and how we view it. In addition to these, the event will also take a look at capitalism, how it’s implemented and how race is a social construct. The event will be in a similar format to “Toxic Masculinity,” where attendees will have an open discussion about the topics.
“It’s going to be a discussion, workshop kind of thing. Picking peoples’ brains because I just want to hear from you all,” Thomas said
