Tag Archive for "Masculinity"

Posts Tagged Masculinity

On space, trains and the performance of masculinity

I just moved to New York City three months ago. I love it here. It sounds trite, cliché, corny and all that stuff to say, but it’s true: it’s everything I imagined it to be and more. I like that there’s always something going on and it’s never more than train ride away.

That’s something I’ve had to get used to, riding the train. I grew up in a suburb in southeast Virginia, where everything is only accessible by car. I hate driving. Some people get a thrill from it all, but it requires way too much mental energy I feel could be better put to use on solving life’s great mysteries, like how to end patriarchy or why the cartoon ...

I just moved to New York City three months ago. I love it here. It sounds trite, cliché, corny and all that stuff to say, but it’s true: it’s everything I imagined it to be and more. ...

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 10 years ago

Hard truths and no more lies: talking to boys about violence

This past weekend, I found out what a “THOT” is.

I was invited to speak at Union Baptist Church in Trenton, N.J., for a conference they held to address black youth and violence. Trenton is a city no larger than eight square miles, with a population of around 80,000, and has had more than 30 murders this year. Black children are dying and being exposed to violence at an alarming rate. I’m glad my friend, a youth minister at the church, recognized this and organized this conference.

This past weekend, I found out what a “THOT” is.

I was invited to speak at Union Baptist Church in Trenton, N.J., for a conference they held to address black youth and violence. Trenton is ...

By Courtney Baxter • 10 years ago

Weekly Feminist Reader

bell hooks and Melissa Harris Perry sat down for a chit chat and it was amazing.

Hollywood’s use of LGBT characters to make a point.

Living up to a code of masculinity in the NFL.

On behalf of women whose thighs touch.

Fuck yeah tomboy flower girls: no tights, no dresses, no ruffles.

Most of the sellers on Etsy are women and many make less than $100 a year.

bell hooks and Melissa Harris Perry sat down for a chit chat and it was amazing.

Hollywood’s use of LGBT characters to make a point.

Living up to a code of masculinity in the NFL.

On behalf ...

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 10 years ago

More thoughts on Mister Cee, sexuality, and hip hop culture

I’m still thinking about DJ Mister Cee. He recently did a PSA in which he speaks openly (and more confidently) about his sexuality and decision to share his journey publicly. In it, he says:

The decision I made this week to open up about my sexuality has definitely been the most difficult thing that I have ever had to do in my life. But I felt like this was the time for me to do it personally and professionally. For me, I felt worried about how my family would be affected, how my coworkers and my friends and even my fans would be affected by this decision because in this hip-hop community of ours, it’s not ...

I’m still thinking about DJ Mister Cee. He recently did a PSA in which he speaks openly (and more confidently) about his sexuality and decision to share his journey publicly. In it, ...

By Chloe Angyal • 10 years ago

Daily Feminist Cheat Sheet

By Chloe and Alexandra

The Hairpin interviews Dr. Susan Robinson, “one of the last four doctors in America to openly provide third-trimester abortions.”

What does manhood mean in 2013?

Feminism causes mass shootings. And sexting.

After Tiller reframes the abortion debate.

“I wonder if Nixon is bugging us now.”

Want to see more films with women of color portraying complex and interesting lead characters?

By Chloe and Alexandra

The Hairpin interviews Dr. Susan Robinson, “one of the last four doctors in America to openly provide third-trimester abortions.”

What does manhood mean in 2013?

Feminism causes mass shootings. And ...

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 10 years ago

Blurring the lines of hetero male fantasies

I’m completely out of the loop, and wasn’t aware that Robin Thicke has the song of the summer with his hit “Blurred Lines.” Until recently, I had only heard the song once. A while back, I saw the uncensored version, which features a number of naked and otherwise half-dressed women participating in various activities, but mostly prancing around to the delight of Thicke, Pharrell and T.I. I didn’t think much of it at the time.

(That’s the “fully” clothed version). And I didn’t think much of it because it seemed standard fare. For most male artists, the music video is an outlet for their hetero male fantasies. A naked woman walking in front of balloons plastered to a wall that read ...

By Sesali B. • 10 years ago

BET shades blogger B. Scott’s gender presentation

I stopped watching BET a long time ago (seriously, when I gave them up for good AJ & Free were still hosting 106 & Park). After hearing about B. Scott’s experience as the selected host of the BET Awards pre-show, I was validated, again. According to Scott:

“BET reached out to me to be the Style Stage Correspondent for the 2013 BET Awards 106 and Park Pre-Show…

The powers that be for this show wanted ‘B. Scott’…but not really. From the beginning, I wanted to make this work. I even tried to secure Chris Brown’s stylist to help me in putting together an appropriate ensemble. Unfortunately BET couldn’t afford him and instead sent over their own stylists to work with me.

After a ...

I stopped watching BET a long time ago (seriously, when I gave them up for good AJ & Free were still hosting 106 & Park). After hearing about B. Scott’s experience as the ...

By Mychal Denzel Smith • 10 years ago

Hating oral sex as the new misogyny? Toward a more feminist sex life

There is a much needed conversation to be had about straight men, masculinity, and sex. As a society we privilege the sexual desires of straight men and then limit the expression of those desires. We should be talking about the ways in which misogyny and homophobia have shaped our ideas about what constitutes appropriate sexual behavior. There should be more focus on enthusiastic consent. We ought to encourage more communication, body acceptance, and pleasure.

“I’m A Feminist, But I Don’t Eat Pussy” is not the way to have that conversation. It won’t be getting any link-love here, but Thought Catalog published this piece by Wayne Nutnot, a self-proclaimed straight white male feminist, who thinks vaginas are icky. In ...