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Good morning all. I am healthy and hope you all are as well. The question in this song echoes in my soul. So far I've come up with. "I'm sorry."
@mallorys_oracle @speedychamomile @pvdork @AryaKicksButt @catmonkey22 @CLC1905 @VABlueBelle18
@mallorys_oracle @speedychamomile @pvdork @AryaKicksButt @catmonkey22 @CLC1905 @VABlueBelle18
Not just me, but every father out there needs to reckon with the message of that song. We sit on porches with Mossbergs, to intimidate the boys who come calling. But we haven't done anything to change the toxic white male culture in this country.
Things have got to change. That's the way we were brought up. Is not a call to arms. Our parents did the best they could. But it was still pretty bad. We can do better. We have to. @fenrir_71 @MikePerryavatar @Bronsays @RZMike95 @NosferatuVK
I had a friend of mine. Who's child was on social media. That got themselves a following of grown men and boys. "Looking". I'm sure you know what I mean by that. We all need to talk to our kids about this stuff along with the birds and bees. Or that nice man on instagram will.
It's hard not to say f*** it. It is what it is. But we are strong enough to do the right thing. To get up out of that chair and engage the children around us. Or to look at that creeper at the shop or the office to knock it off. Stand with the victims not behind them.
It's hard not to react. To admit "I don't know the answer." Or to ask for help or directions. We are not all knowing repositories of action. Kicking someone's ass, won't solve these problems. Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.
Engage and educate your children about the ways of the world. Good and bad. Don't be their hero, be their guide. Because you don't want them to be preyed upon or prey upon others as adults. Teach them to listen to fear but not be afraid. To seek out guidance when they are lost.
All to often we as adults use shame as a tool. On our children and each other. This is wrong and needs to stop. The pain brought to bear as a weapon of control is evil. Call it judgment, peer pressure, or shame. Competition is a practice of these things. Win the prize at all cost
This breeds a sense of entitlement in the winners. The losers walk away with the I'm not good enough idea. If only I had run faster, was a little stronger, more practiced. This can lead to a different sense of entitlement and toxic masculinity.
We live vicariously through our children. I believe this is why we push so hard to do the right thing. But how can you know what the right thing is, if you yourself failed the first go round? Multiple ideas from multiple people without judgment is key.
I think the answer to the question posed in Mickey's song. Is don't lie to them in the first place. If you want your children protected and to succeed. Tell them the truth, don't judge them, pick them up when they fall, and guide them.
P.S. It's perfectly acceptable to tell off the creep/racist at the shop or office. You might lose your job. But a company that hires people like that. Isn't worth working for. If enough of us demand this maybe things will change.
Sorry for the Sunday morning rant. It's been on my mind for a few months. I hope you are all safe and not so stir crazy. @conormahood @DonGone5
