Progress With Compassion
I think men are getting mixed signals these days.
We celebrate strength and competitiveness (stereotypically “masculine” qualities) as ever, dismissing unintended side effects of arrogance and aggression as if they were separate things.
Any strength can be imbalanced or overused.
And we all deserve opportunities, to be honored and treated wonderfully. That said men are flawed like the rest of us, and just as influenced by their biological and social conditioning.
I prefer men to be strong, as I prefer myself and everyone.
To be clear, I’m not condoning violence and a*****e behavior. We can do far better.
What I am suggesting is that — unfortunately for everyone ultimately — the perpetrator is “conditioned” as much as the victim. Haves are just as human as have nots.
Power doesn’t corrupt. It allows expression of what was there to begin with.
What if we moved past the righteous Us-Them?
I’m not above it, trust me. Misuse and outright abuse of power has been near and not-so-dear to my mind, body and heart.
And as angry and as tempted as I’ve been, I never tried to attack or wrest power. I’m not judging it. It’s not my strength, skill set or my calling.
Maybe what we need isn’t for men and individuals in positions of power to be weakened or watered down, but to be more of who they are authentically. Just like anyone else.
Connected to themselves, others and the world around them.
If you want something to change, understand it first — AKA empathy and perspective taking.
We don’t make progress without compassion.
Let’s honor the common root of our humanity.
Please and thanks.
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