A few good men

Some of my favorite men in the world are feminists.

I think our definition of being a “good man” is evolving so it doesn’t mean men that just don’t rape or hit women (the absence of bad behavior does not equal good).

Good men are now men that actually stand up for gender equality.

The current patriarchy doesn’t just hurt women, although we are certainly more disadvantaged by it, it hurts men too. Men who have to watch their wives, friends, sisters and daughters deal with a system that devalues them and makes them live under the constant threat of pain and violation.

There are some very good feminist men doing great work in the world, and they should be recognized as allies.

Yesterday I saw Jackson Katz speak in Oshawa, and he was brilliant.

Today, thanks to the Star, I found out a male model-scout was awarded the annual Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case youth award (traditionally given to young women who have made significant contributions in academics and social activism.)

So this model-scout finds a couple of women for the Dove Real Beauty ads and suddenly he’s a feminist? Are we just handing that title out?

Ugh.