I recently encountered an announcement
about a training entitled, Understanding Masculinity as a Resource in Prevention.”
Among other things, this training opportunity will “enhance participants’
knowledge regarding the importance of building a masculinity gender lens” and
help them “become familiar with healthy masculinity.”
I don’t think I need to attend the
training because I (as a woman) have basically spent my whole life enhancing my
knowledge regarding the importance of a masculinity gender lens. Shouldn’t I
consider how any act of resistance or attempt at liberation will be perceived
in the context of masculinity?
Masculinity is a construct. It is a construct of exclusion and
hierarchy. The idea of healthy masculinity supposes that violence against women
occurs when the expression of maleness is sick or defective. There is no such
thing as healthy masculinity. Male supremacy and oppression isn’t a perversion
of masculinity, it is a result of the construct of masculinity. Maleness is not a real thing with discrete
properties. It doesn’t exist except in opposition to “not maleness.”
Masculinity has no meaning or value other than bolstering systems of patriarchy
and male supremacy.
The ever-increasing prioritization of men and masculinity just
replicates those harmful, oppressive systems.
Audre Lorde warned us about using the master’s tools.
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