hooks begins with the recognition that we are growing up in a society definied by, “imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy.” This transformative text seeks to explore alternative interpersonal dynamics and relationships, with an emphasis on empathy, understanding, and work as foundational to love. hooks acknowledges the pitfalls of patriarchal society and focuses on how to…
What would happen if every time someone asked you, “how are you?” or “how’s it going?” or “how was your weekend?” you actually answered truthfully, and not took it as a mere pleasantry. In this testimonial, author, Evan Porter, challenges himself to this very task. Requiring himself to not only be in touch with what…
Fostering empathy from the earliest age is fundamental to undoing generations of toxic male socialization and replacing our current rape culture with a culture rooted in consent in which everyone’s agency and autonomy is respected. This article provides tangible examples, steps, and tips for teaching consent and fostering empathy to children in of various and…
A novel that is as beautiful and charming as it is devastating and heartbreaking. Yanagihara follows the lives and friendships of four men who meet as college roommates. At 700 pages, there is nothing superficial or surface-level about the exploration of masculinities and the trials of friendship. I do not want to give too much…
Empathy is not easily taught, but it can be embodied, modeled, and experienced. Special Education teacher, Chris Ulmer has found a way to build students’ self-esteem by modeling an encouraging and positive atmosphere in his class. Rather than treating “special ed” as a punishment, or a result of failure, Ulmer takes time out of every morning…
Toxic masculinity requires that men distance themselves from their romantic and intimate partners, closing themselves off behind walls of isolation and entitlement. Harmful norms of masculinity do not allow for men to connect with their feelings, making it nearly impossible to connect or empathize with the emotional experience of someone with whom they are in…
I would argue that fostering empathy might be the single most important task in undoing a rape culture and replacing destructive entitlement that is at the heart of toxic masculinity. In the United States, where competition, winner-takes-all, survival of the fittest mentalities are seen as the epitome of being “American,” creating a culture that is…
