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I know that it’s realllllly easy to dunk on people by quote tweeting their bad take - I know I did it myself just yesterday!
Instead, I want to do something different this time: a short, NON-EXTENSIVE list of men who showed me what positive masculinity looked like. https://twitter.com/realcandaceo/status/1327691891303976961
Instead, I want to do something different this time: a short, NON-EXTENSIVE list of men who showed me what positive masculinity looked like. https://twitter.com/realcandaceo/status/1327691891303976961
First and foremost, @thomasajson. He showed me how to be mindful of the needs of others, and how to express disappointment in a healthy way - not whining and pouting, but in simply admitting that sometimes, things just didn’t happen the way he wanted them to, and that was okay.
My father’s father, William Frank Johnson, also quickly comes to mind. He showed how to live out one’s faith in concrete ways, by helping to care for his community.
He also told me stories of how he simply never enjoyed hunting, despite it being a normal thing growing up - and
He also told me stories of how he simply never enjoyed hunting, despite it being a normal thing growing up - and
showed me that it was okay to forego “manly” things that just didn’t interest you.
I also think of my mother’s father, Ronald Tilley - he showed me how wonderful it is to be able to have a good time and find joy, even in things that seem simple and ordinary.
I also think of my mother’s father, Ronald Tilley - he showed me how wonderful it is to be able to have a good time and find joy, even in things that seem simple and ordinary.
I think of Mr. Magee ( @colganband) - who showed me that good leaders are firm in their decisions, but willing to explain nearly anything to a follower with an earnest question; he also showed that the best teachers were the ones who cared about their student’s lives.
I didn’t personally know him, but growing up watching @PBS, Bob Ross showed me how wonderful it was to be creative, and to constantly enamor myself with new interests all the time.
In that same vein, Mister Rogers taught me that feeling sad was okay; that it was okay to like myself “just the way you are”; and that above all else, being kind to others was one of the best decisions one could make in life.
My Pastor for most all of my life, Tim Perrin, showed me how wise it is to listen first, and speak only once you’re certain what you’re going to say.
He also showed me how much a well timed (but horrible) pun could disarm and charm those around you
He also showed me how much a well timed (but horrible) pun could disarm and charm those around you
There are certainly scores of others who deserve to be on this list - family, friends from school, dads I met in the Boy Scouts, teachers from Middle & High School - but the (overarching) point stayed roughly the same: being a man isn’t about fierceness or liking a rare steak,
but about learning about things that interested me, seeking joy in every day of our lives, and making sure that you treated everyone equally and kindly - even those we didn’t necessarily like.
Would love to hear about the men who showed you what positive masculinity looked like.
Would love to hear about the men who showed you what positive masculinity looked like.
