The Witness » (Non)Toxic Masculinity
31 FOLLOWERS
Check out our expert writers' well-rounded opinions on black males' spirituality, well-being, and health. At The Witness, you will find high-quality articles on faith, identity, current events, politics, justice relationships, history, family, and more.
The Witness » (Non)Toxic Masculinity
7M ago
I dream of a day where we don’t have to speak the names of Black people who have been taken from us too soon. I dream of a future where news headlines tell of how Black people overcame and reflect on lives long and well lived. For now, I hold on to the beauty that resides in our melanated skin and the unique voice that our people possess. ..read more
The Witness » (Non)Toxic Masculinity
8M ago
Months ago, I was privileged to converse with some colleagues and a mental health researcher, Dr. Olajide. In this particular conversation, Dr. Olajide facilitated a conversation about Kanye West and other celebrities that seem to garner intense reactions within our communities, most acutely from Black men. Although our conversation primarily centered around Kanye, I couldn’t ..read more
The Witness » (Non)Toxic Masculinity
9M ago
“Modern capitalism needs men who co-operate smoothly, and in large numbers; who want to consume more and more; and whose tastes are standardized and can be easily influenced and anticipated. It needs men who feel free and independent, not subject to any authority or principle or conscience—yet willing to be commanded, to do what is ..read more
The Witness » (Non)Toxic Masculinity
10M ago
No amount of perfectionism can stop our bodies from being hated or feared, though. ..read more
The Witness » (Non)Toxic Masculinity
11M ago
I know that those in my immediate circle of influence are probably sick of hearing me rave about how much I enjoyed the book Patriarchy Blues: Reflections on Manhood by Frederick Joseph. (By the way, if you sign up to have any type of relationship with me, no matter how close or casual, you will ..read more
The Witness » (Non)Toxic Masculinity
11M ago
“Are you sure, sweetheart, that you want to be well? Just so’s you’re sure, sweetheart, and ready to be healed, cause wholeness is no trifling matter. A lot of weight when you’re well.” Toni Cade Bambara I try to stay out of social media mess. Truly, I do. Social media can be so beautiful, bringing ..read more
The Witness » (Non)Toxic Masculinity
1y ago
“There was so much diverse black masculinity in the world of our childhood that it would have been impossible for any of us to have a one-dimensional understanding of black life. We knew from experience that some black males were kind and gentle, others cruel and indifferent, that some fathers were present, and some fathers ..read more
The Witness » (Non)Toxic Masculinity
1y ago
Days bleed together in a pandemic. We are still in the midst of one—aren’t we? Contrary to popular belief, and a world that seems to have just moved on with COVID, a pandemic grips us. Sickness has struck this globe in a way that will probably impact us for decades. As we come to grips ..read more
The Witness » (Non)Toxic Masculinity
1y ago
As I ease into the cool, black seat of the barber’s chair, I take a deep breath. For just one moment, I close my eyes and allow the tension and anxiety that are weighing so heavily upon my shoulders to ease. I look around the barbershop and smile. Snippets of conversations float to my ear ..read more
The Witness » (Non)Toxic Masculinity
1y ago
It feels like yesterday (It just happened in March. What is time anymore?!) that we were minding our own business trying to navigate the ever-changing nature of this pandemic and people who didn’t want to wear their masks and…I digress…when social media lit up with a video from Kirk Franklin’s son, Kerrion Franklin. The video ..read more