Stop Being a Man and Focus on Being Human

It is never okay to treat another human being as an object. For any reason. Ever.

Men are taught to be rugged individuals. We are taught to think, take charge, and make decisions, even if we don’t know what’s going on or understand what needs to be done.

Men are not taught the way of the heart. We are not taught how to be part of a community where ideas and insights are shared. We are not taught to respect each other. We’re taught to genuflect to power.

When men are challenged, when their thinking is muddled, some men will cajole. They will confront. They will use their physical presence to pressure others, especially women. If this doesn’t work, some men will use physical force. Some men think they’re allowed to be bullies if they want something.

This is a generalization, of course. Not all men act like this.

There are many men with good and loving hearts. There are men who will stop what they are doing to help others. There are men who listen to the insights of others, who work together, men who are not afraid to learn or show their emotions, men who seek to do what is right even if it doesn’t benefit them.

The posts at the @Good Men Project are helping men learn to become better dads, husbands, and humans.

We do not create community through leverage. Cooperating with others is not a dirty word. Our community is strongest when we treat each other as equals.

It is never okay to treat another human being as an object. For any reason. Ever.

No man is an island, entire unto himself.