Blog 4: Indigenous culture and the path to tolerance

Although it can be hard to believe it now, our country was once a very different place. Before North America was colonized by Europeans, it was inhabited primarily by an Indigenous people with a very different culture and view than what we are accustomed to now, and while this people very much still exists, this outlook on life has all but disappeared from the mainstream of society. However, by learning about this waning culture through Keough and Campbell’s chapter “Gender and Cultural Diversity in the Early Contact Period”, the documentary ‘Trans In Trumpland: Idaho’, and even the presentation by Glenn Glear, I have truly built a newfound understanding and appreciation for this culture which has been hidden and oppressed for so long. I have also learnt that our society’s European based way of thinking is not the only cultural opinion, and unless we learn to accept other views such as the Indigenous way of life, we are creating a world which is unacceptable to those who do not conform to the views or norms of this rigid society. 

In Keough and Campbell’s chapter “Gender and Cultural Diversity in the Early Contact Period”, they explain the many differences between pre-contact Indigenous culture and European culture, as well as the changes which were then forced on the Indigenous to conform to. “European missionaries, traders, officials, and settlers perceived North America through Eurocentric lenses in which Aboriginal people appeared as either “noble savages”, innocent and childlike, or “heathens” in need of Christian salvation. (Keough and Campbell, 24-25) There was no cultural understanding or friendly cooperation afforded by the Europeans who first came to conquer North America, rather, they were set on forcefully changing the Indigenous people and culture into an image which better fit their own. “Establishing “normal” gender relations among Aboriginal men and women was not easy, and the missionaries met with resistance from some women who saw Christian ideology as undermining their power”. (Keough and Campbell, 27) From gender relations to religion, the Indigenous had a completely different culture and worldview than the Europeans, and they immediately set out to change them. The Europeans wanted total cultural dominance, as they perceived theirs to be superior, and wanted to ensure that everyone conformed to it no matter how rigid or toxic some of it may be. 

In spite of what the Europeans thought, in many ways their culture was more negative and hateful than that of the Indigenous, and by forcing them to conform they were destroying their way of life, which had existed for centuries. As was explained in the documentary “Trans In Trumpland”, Indigenous culture has been extremely accepting and open to all types of people, unlike the discrimination rooted in our European culture. To the Indigenous this newly encountered society which “…was organized according to status and rank” (Keough and Campbell, 21) seemed strict and oppressive, as most Europeans who claimed moral and cultural superiority lived poor and subordinate to a chosen few who ruled them. Indigenous society was much more free and open to different classes and genders, and in many ways was ahead of its time even in comparison to today.

Even now, our society still lags behind in many aspects, and Indigenous society is still miles ahead in many aspects. The Indigenous are much more accepting of others, and many members of their society which are part of communities ostracized in our society are treated fairly and justly. For example, In “Trans In Trumpland”, Shane Ortega, who is Two-Spirit, is treated well and valued by their community, despite the stigma such a term carries in mainstream American society, which seems to grow less and less accepting as time passes. While Indigenous culture thrives on being all accepting, there have been many restrictive changes in America which seek to do the opposite. For example, the military has recently banned trans members, and it seems as though American society is losing acceptance of this group, and many others. Glenn Gear, who is an Indigiqueer artist, has also lamented these changes, as with the dying of Indigenous culture and the rise of hate and intolerance, he and countless others are feeling less and less safe in this country, and many others.

In conclusion, this land has changed in many ways since Europeans first landed in North America, and in many ways it has changed for the worse, as society has become less accepting and willing to tolerate the differences between people. Between the documentary “Trans In Trumpland”, the article “Gender and Cultural Diversity in the Early Contact Period”, and Glenn Glear’s speech, I have learnt the power of Indigenous culture, and the power of tolerance and acceptance on a society wide scale. If we learn to embrace and accept these aspects of Indigenous culture in our own modern life, we can build a better and more liberating world for everyone.

Blog 3: The Hate in Our Society

In the Jordan Peele film “Get Out” and Desmond Cole’s memoir “The Skin We’re In”, racism takes on a more subtle and effective role. While we have moved on from the days of open persecution and slavery, racism still seeps into every aspect of our society, working to influence our very thoughts and actions as it turns citizens against one another and creates biases and prejudices in the place of love and acceptance. Both the film and memoir illustrate the less blatant ways in which minorities, especially black men, are persecuted by society on the grounds of their differences, which are treated as flaws. Although slavery and segregation have long since disappeared from western society, the scars of injustice are still continually forced open as countries such as Canada and America practice more subtle forms of discrimination against Black people.

 This subtlety is best shown in “Get Out”, where Peele demonstrates the racism from self-professed liberal families. From the moment he meets his girlfriend’s family, Chris is subject to comments and remarks which are very much unwarranted. From the all-Black housekeeping staff to the way they objectify Chris based on his race, discrimination is brushed aside as nonexistent and Chris is made to feel as if his complaints are nonsense and paranoia, despite their truth. This is also highlighted in Desmond Cole’s memoir, where he explains that “…whiteness is often about endless disavowal. Whiteness pretends to forget its own name when called, and refuses to acknowledge its desire for dominance.” (Cole, 9)

Despite this endless disavowal, there are clear signs of prejudice in our society. Cole tells the story of a young black man living in Toronto who was assaulted by police in his own art gallery for no reason, treated like a criminal because of his race. This experience is common, and black men are taught to fear the police, who can kill them on a whim and escape punishment. In “Get Out”, Chris is similarly racially profiled by the police, and his fear is the fear of all Black men who experience discrimination and hatred. Despite this clear and blatant discrimination from the very institution which is meant to protect us, Black people are still told that racism has disappeared long ago, and that their complaints are an insult to our equal and just society.

This is just one facet of the subtle method in which control and dominance is established over black people. By telling them we are equal while treating them as inferior, Black people are firmly placed at the bottom of our country’s hierarchy, sealing them shut behind a glass ceiling which displays all the wealth and power of our society which they will never be allowed to have. In Peele’s “Get Out”, the family tries to take his brain and give it to a rich white man, painting a direct picture of just how Black people are forced into submission and control by society, as it seeks to control their minds and trick them into accepting this unequal society. By doing so they are no longer free, but rather turned into second hand citizens subject to rampant discrimination and are powerless to fight back.

In conclusion, both Peele’s film and Cole’s memoir show the constant struggles Black people, and especially Black men, go through in our society which constantly labels and derides them due to their race. Although they are constantly educated on the equality of modern society, their experiences are much more negative and discriminatory. Although many people refuse to accept it, racism is still very present and only through acknowledging its existence can we begin to fight it.  As Cole said, ” You can’t ask people who have been oppressed their whole lives to forget that and ignore the fact that it might be happening again.” (Cole, 2)

Blog 2: Rethinking Masculinity

Within our society, masculinity and its constructs are often conflated with ideas of dominance and anger. Aggression is key in this toxic belief, and all feelings of vulnerability or fear must be suppressed, as they are thought to be weak and feminine. Various outlets and movements are particularly susceptible to this ideology of masculinity, and several documentaries we have watched in class shed light on these groups. Documentaries such as “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” and “Inside Incel” portray the hate filled views of such movements, such as uncles and the far-right. Michael Kimmel’s essay “Masculinity as Homophobia,” and Will James’ presentation on “Online Influencers, Toxic Masculinity, and the Classroom” further delved deep into the psyche of toxic masculinity, and explained just why these radical groups emerged in our societies, due to the deep seeping influence of these damaging ideas into our culture and educational system. Throughout all these documentaries, essays, and presentations there is a clear view presented, that we must solve the societal influence of toxicity and hatred, and cure the fear of many men over things outside our traditional norms, to stop the rise of hatred and create a new culture of empathy.  

Kimmels’ essay was particularly important in understanding the root of toxic masculinity, as it delved into the idea that these beliefs were rooted not in hate, but rather in fear. For example, homophobia was rooted in the fear of being seen as weak or feminine, as well as the fear of societal expectations and ridicule from one’s peers if one does not behave in a certain way. This fear can lead men to adopt toxic facets of masculinity and behave in a very hate filled and violent way, in the hope of gaining more acceptance from peers who hold similar views. This fear and toxicity is displayed in “Charlottesville: Race and Terror”, where the insecurities and fears of the white supremacists manifest into violent acts of extremism and hatred, fueled by their desire to maintain power and control at all costs, as they fear that their grasp on this power over the country is slipping.

The documentary “Inside Incel” has a similar effect of displaying the reasoning and beliefs of another violent subculture. Often angered and disillusioned with society over their lack of sexual success, this group of involuntary celibates (incels), hold much hatred and resentment towards women and society as a whole, who they view as the cause of the problems. Kimmel’s essay also holds true to this segment of toxic masculinity, as fears over inadequacy and loneliness manifest into an aggressive ideology of dominance and control over women. They try to hide their insecurities through a mask of hatred, and in doing so propagate harmful sexist beliefs which they believe will solve their celibacy problem.

Will James’ presentation of the presence of toxic masculinity in educational spaces promotes the idea in Kimmel’s essay that society only furthers these fears of things not traditionally masculine, as institutions such as school help to propagate such beliefs onto young men, who are then pressured by others under the same societal norms to behave and think in ways which further spread harmful beliefs. We cannot hope to end toxic masculinity if it’s notions on gender and behavior are ingrained within even the most vital parts of our society such as education, and unless we teach boys and young men to treat people with empathy and respect, and to prioritize communication over assumptions, these toxic beliefs will never be dismantled, and the propagation of this harmful ideology will only become more effective and powerful over time.

In conclusion, the documentaries “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” and “Inside Incel,” alongside Michael Kimmel’s essay and Will James’ presentation, paint a clear picture of not only how toxic masculinity emerges within society and grows through fear and pressure, but also just how damaging and hateful it can become if we allow it to poison the minds of men. Only through directly confronting the root of this masculine ideology, and dismantling the systems which create it, can we finally push towards societal acceptance of a much more empathetic and inclusive version of masculinity. If we strive to challenge traditional norms and ensure healthier environments for students, we can create a new system in society which strives on compassion rather than fear, and is equitable to all groups of men. It is important that we solve this pressing issue, because as hate and anger continue to grow and create new groups based on hatred of people and society, only by solving what causes this anger can we eliminate it from our society.

Blog 1: Self-expression vs conformity

In both the film Invincible and the short story Guys’ Club, masculinity is strictly defined by the same guidelines which our society follows. To be a man you must be stoic and brave, never letting any emotions in or succumbing to any “weakness” by shedding so much as a tear. These harsh rules are successful at enforcing what is expected of men, but also causes pain for those who do not conform to the strict standards of our society and act in any other way than is expected.

The protagonists of both stories suffer greatly under the toxic rules set out by society, yet they must follow them for fear of backlash towards any dissenter against the norm. Any sign of femininity or supposed weakness can cause a harsh response, leading to an enforcement of the values which continue to harm more than anything else. This response can range from insults to physical violence, as disproportionate hatred is leveraged for simple acts of self expression. In the short story, Carlos quickly learns the consequences of non conformity, as he is called “faggot” by other kids simply for wearing nail polish at the age of six. These cruel habits are even displayed by young kids as men are often disciplined by others at a young age to keep out any ideas which could challenge existing notions of masculinity. As long as traditional perceptions of men are maintained, no matter how outdated or toxic they may be, this is deemed by many to be a victory despite the costs, and there are many. In the film Invincibles, Marc dies trying to escape the cruel life he has found himself in, constantly subject to torment and misery in the juvenile detention center he has been sent to. Stuck in a toxic environment where toughness is essential, Marc struggles to survive without any warmth or emotion, as his exterior must always be emotionless and stoic to fit in with the others. He misses his family and his past moments of vulnerability, as the juvenile detention center has blocked out all the happiness in his life and replaced it with the coldness and loneliness they expect is necessary to become a real man. 

While cruel and unnecessary, the efforts of society seem to have success in quelling any other notions of masculinity besides the toxic beliefs of the mainstream. Outliers are forced to conform to the masses or be shunned from society, and even an action so innocent as painting one’s nails can create enough backlash to cause conformity, or even the adoption of a completely different set of opinions and ideals. Even someone so passionate and independent towards their beliefs such as Carlos can slowly start to subconsciously adopt certain homophobic opinions through exposure and influence from toxic masculinity. In our society there is no place for differing opinions, and if one does not think or act the way others think they should, they will be bullied or ridiculed until they change. 

Both the short story and the film really opened my eyes to the influence thoughts and actions can have on others, as both Carlos and Marc were treated terribly and struggled greatly against the toxic actions and statements of others. Marc was even driven to suicide due to his inability to deal with the negative space created by all the actions of those around him, as he was shown coldness and anger when all he wanted, and needed, was the warmth and kindness he used to feel when he was with his family. Carlos always lived with fear of the way his actions could be perceived, and when he accidentally went to the gay club he feared the repercussions from his family if they thought he went there on purpose. All these adverse reactions towards other forms of masculinity only cause pain to others, and in extreme cases even lead to death for men who cannot live with the cruel expectations of society.

These stories have truly opened my eyes to the suffering and bullying of men who do not conform to society’s toxic view of masculinity, and I realize I have to do better to ensure everyone feels comfortable to express themselves in the way they see fit. Nobody should feel shame to be the man they wish to be, whether that entails lifting weights or painting their nails, and hopefully we can create a change so society can finally understand that even if not all men are the same, we are all equal and deserve respect.