Wow. The message about fearful King Herod and what he did to retain power just stopped me in my tracks on this one year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection. Thank you Nadia
A challenge, written with great respect: When will their insecurities end? We’ve been ‘lifting up examples of beneficent masculinity’ for a long time. This day marks a year from a grossly fearful display @ our US Capitol. We need better boundaries and protection, not more coddling.
I'm pretty clear on what empowered femininity looks like, but I'm not sure how well we do "lift up" good examples of healthy masculinity. I don't think we make enough of a distinction between masculinity and patriarchy, one of which has gotta go, and the other needs to be supported more.
Patriarchy teaches bullying, oppression, control over. Healthy masculinity encompasses defense, kindness, protectiveness of the smaller and weaker. That's just one example.
And there's no either/or here. Humans all exhibit qualities that have been
classified as belonging to another gender. (Acknowledging that I've way oversimplified.) There's a lot of overlap in capacities and behavior.
@adiebaren, My comment is directed to NB-W's parenthetical about "doing more to lift up healthy masculinity" that presupposes yet another obligation for those of us living in the patriarchy to end the patriarchy, and the myth that positive reinforcement or amplification of good-guy behavior will, in fact, end the patriarchy. I challenge that there is any duty and, further, argue that positive reinforcement of what should be the norm will do more harm than good. It is an indulgence of the patriarchy to give the oppressed an obligation or duty to end the patriarchy and, further, to be a cheerleader for average behavior. In other words, I want dudes to engage in anti-patriarchy. Not just pro-"empowered feminism."
@adiebaren (2) had mom duties but also wanted to acknowledge my privileges and give credit where credit is due - none of what I write is novel - tis merely borrowed from the civil rights movement, black feminist authors like bell hooks, critical legal theory scholars, critical race theory scholars, and anti-racism scholars. On that note, I would add that white feminists such as myself do nothing to end white supremacy by expecting so little of the pro-feminist dudes and dudettes in our circles.
So I read this message earlier in the Chapel. I was moved by your take on power differential not needing to be the obstacle. I love having the version where I hear your voice and intonation. It gives me a beautiful view into how you view the piece. I’ve said before I love your writing but I’m really enjoying this new media format. Thank-you for the post Nadia. Much appreciated!
Happy epiphany to you!!! You just blew my mind, with the phrase with fear cast out Joseph no longer had to see everything with the lens of what was in the past!!! Thank you!
Wow. The message about fearful King Herod and what he did to retain power just stopped me in my tracks on this one year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection. Thank you Nadia
A challenge, written with great respect: When will their insecurities end? We’ve been ‘lifting up examples of beneficent masculinity’ for a long time. This day marks a year from a grossly fearful display @ our US Capitol. We need better boundaries and protection, not more coddling.
I'm pretty clear on what empowered femininity looks like, but I'm not sure how well we do "lift up" good examples of healthy masculinity. I don't think we make enough of a distinction between masculinity and patriarchy, one of which has gotta go, and the other needs to be supported more.
Patriarchy teaches bullying, oppression, control over. Healthy masculinity encompasses defense, kindness, protectiveness of the smaller and weaker. That's just one example.
And there's no either/or here. Humans all exhibit qualities that have been
classified as belonging to another gender. (Acknowledging that I've way oversimplified.) There's a lot of overlap in capacities and behavior.
Would you explain what you mean by coddling?
@adiebaren, My comment is directed to NB-W's parenthetical about "doing more to lift up healthy masculinity" that presupposes yet another obligation for those of us living in the patriarchy to end the patriarchy, and the myth that positive reinforcement or amplification of good-guy behavior will, in fact, end the patriarchy. I challenge that there is any duty and, further, argue that positive reinforcement of what should be the norm will do more harm than good. It is an indulgence of the patriarchy to give the oppressed an obligation or duty to end the patriarchy and, further, to be a cheerleader for average behavior. In other words, I want dudes to engage in anti-patriarchy. Not just pro-"empowered feminism."
@adiebaren (2) had mom duties but also wanted to acknowledge my privileges and give credit where credit is due - none of what I write is novel - tis merely borrowed from the civil rights movement, black feminist authors like bell hooks, critical legal theory scholars, critical race theory scholars, and anti-racism scholars. On that note, I would add that white feminists such as myself do nothing to end white supremacy by expecting so little of the pro-feminist dudes and dudettes in our circles.
Thanks again for the Epiphany message which is timeless, and a reminder (I need lots of reminders) of God's love and care and the hope that brings!
Thank you for the poem!
"Vainly we offer each ample oblation;
"Vainly with gold would his favor secure:
"Richer by far is the heart's adoration;
"Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwMEz4sNZrQ
Love this! And how perfectly fitting for this day as we remember a year ago….fear personified in so many ways…
You put out there, once again, profound brilliance. How appropriate TODAY to warn the Herods of the world to beware of love and justice.
Oh. That last paragraph. How I needed to hear that tonight. Thank you.
So I read this message earlier in the Chapel. I was moved by your take on power differential not needing to be the obstacle. I love having the version where I hear your voice and intonation. It gives me a beautiful view into how you view the piece. I’ve said before I love your writing but I’m really enjoying this new media format. Thank-you for the post Nadia. Much appreciated!
Gotcha, thanks
Fantastic message, do not fear.
Happy epiphany to you!!! You just blew my mind, with the phrase with fear cast out Joseph no longer had to see everything with the lens of what was in the past!!! Thank you!
Thank you for holding up what is so basic and so ignored. From Abraham to John of Patmos, it's "Fear not," but we continue to miss the message.
This post is so brilliant, Nadia. Thank you. You always broaden my mind and open my heart.