ADVOCATE OF CHANGE!

As posted on my most recent blog entitled Learned Behaviors, I am intrigued by the male feminist organization N.O.M.A.S. Its acronym speaks for itself, National Organization for Men Against Sexism. N.O.M.A.S. is an organization that promotes equality among the sexes. I have emphasized the word sexes because I want to make it clear that N.O.M.A.S. does not discriminate upon any orientation. They have been in existence for more than 30 years, which is quite an impressive tenure for an organization of this sort and that alone should speak for itself. Throughout this post you will see it stated like a mantra.

N.O.M.A.S. believes that past ideals of masculinity need to be revisited and revised. They fully advocate a perspective that is pro-feminist, gay affirmative and anti-racist (www.nomas.org). The workshops are designed to assist in the rethinking of social views that imply an individual is less than another individual because they are not white, male and heterosexual. Results of these workshops produce alternatives to cultural beliefs that men should be dominant by any means necessary i.e. acts of aggression, insensitivity and violence, acts that have become the norm in our “civil society.” A civil society, how’s that for S.A.D.A.Y.R. …seasonal affect disorder all year round. It’s a joke right?

N.O.M.A.S. has made it clear that those acts of our civil society, construed as manliness are only in the minds of “not so real men.” They inform that centuries of those ideals, forced upon generations and generations of individuals (women too) require deprogramming; and they offer assistance in this deprogramming in such a way that members are readily accepting of holding themselves accountable to change. They become advocates to the masses of closed-minded beings who have not yet grasped the idea of change and it becomes beneficial to the larger masses. It’s like the shampoo commercial that tells two friends and they tell two friends and so on and so on and so on. At the end of the day you have free thinkers who have removed themselves from the tradition of cultural, static norms that do nothing but create friction. In doing so, they contribute to a healthier, more sound and more productive community. In essence it contributes to a more productive society.

In conclusion, I support N.O.M.A.S. because of our commonalities, more specifically our common beliefs. I too am an advocate of free-thinking. In my experiences I have come to learn that often, many people do not think for themselves and rely on what they have been taught or feared being different, even when they know it is wrong, even when they too have possibly experienced some form of discrimination or act of violence. Some say it takes courage to advocate for what is right when all that really needs to be considered is actually called, EQUALITY.

Motivation

Motivation: The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

Mali's Mind will forever be moved to the point of no return. It is a force to be reckoned with as it Operates off of a set of sound but different principals. Forthcoming Traditions will be determined post completion of all her goals. Incompetency will forever be unacceptable as it is something that reflects carelessness in efforts. Her Voice is the tool of the new millennium. It is strong and Affirmed in its pursuit to be heard. It will Transcend cultural norms forcing them to become Insignificant, Obsolete and dysfunctional. Nonconformity is the word she has decided to end this poem with. You see, it started out as an acrostic but as you can see, she refuses to
conform.

The words above are familiar and perhaps very commonly used. I thought it would be interesting to collect and propel them simultaneously. My goal is always set at moving the minds of others. To motivate the mass into becoming free thinkers, removing themselves from the tradition of cultural norms. Cultural Norms are outdated, boring and static; and as we have learned, they cause friction. We have all been created equal however, we are in fact different. That difference is what makes the world go around.

I enjoy inciting the possibility of change. And if you are uncertain of what that means...See Learned Behavior, Affirmative Action & Empowered! Better still...See me for who I am, not for who you think I am supposed to
be.

Learned Behaviors

Men...
I watch and am often observed. Most often I listen but am hardly heard. Why, would be the question since my voice is clear. Quite certain I am; it's not my voice that is feared. Many voices like mine have been ignored for years. ...

I say, it's the strength of our message and the volume of its meaning. It's the courage that is pronounced through the pain we've been singing. It is justice and unjust when we challenge the quo; when we demand what is right without exchange quid pro. We have survived the worst and will continue to endure. We'll stand up for our rights and we'll prevail I am sure.

Women...
Yes, it man that claims he is treated unfair. Was he told he can't vote, he couldn't speak, he can't swear? Isn't it man who believes he is the premier species or is that simply what he's been told? Is man's life more prestigious than womans? Not exactly; just a myth that is centuries old?

Learned Behaviors are difficult to undo but doable. It requires determination, focus and strength to undo years of being misinformed. Men's Movement, in addition to gender study courses is one way to undo the misconceptions both men and women have of each other. What is special about Men's Movement in particular is that it will afford men of all ages to become involved in activities that will enhance their welfare, well being and overall state of mind. I believe they will become better fathers & husbands, better sons & brothers, better mentors and most importantly better humans.

While there are less attractive movements, i.e. men's rights activists which continue to indoctrinate traditional roles of men and subservient roles of women, real men can and will determine for themselves what is morally correct. They will not allow a culture or society to dictate their personal practice choice. NOMAS is what I have in mind today. I am a new supporter of this group. http://www.nomas.org

SEPARATE BUT EQUAL

Forty-three...the 14th smallest prime number, the designation of an Interstate in Wisconsin, the code for direct dial international calls to Austria, the number of different herbs and spices contained in Spanish liquer, the album Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd is 43 minutes long and lastly, our current George W. Bush is the 43rd president.

What is my point you ask? Well let me be clear in stating it has absolutely nothing to do with George. Instead, I exclaim: It is exactly the number of years since Affirmative Action!

I am addressing this issue because its importance is paramount. Lyndon B. Johnson said it best, "You do not take a person who for years has been hobbled by chains and liberate him, bring him to the starting line of a race, and then say, 'you are free to compete with all the others."

Today, I would challenge Lyndon on his use of the word "him" but instead will applaud him for his foresight.

According to the policy of Affirmative Action there are 3 key ideas. I would like to concentrate on the third one. " The effectiveness of remedies is judged by results not intent."

There is a sad misconception of many that Affirmative Action solely assists minorities where it relates to color. Let me educate you: Women are minorities and we come in all colors. We too benefit from Affirmative Action.

Lyndon's statement had a profound effect on me. Since the beginning of time women have been labeled as the weaker sex or human. We have been mistreated, underrepresented, discriminated upon, underpaid and physically violated. We are faced with cultural ideologies that should have disappeared with the corset but unfortunately continue in some form. Women are harassed by a male dominated society that sees women as different and therefore not equal.

We have proven that we can educate and be educated, we have earning potential, we can make ammunition and shoot guns, we can cure illnesses, we can represent our country and last but not least we can reproduce like no other.

Why then can't we be equal?

Our actions and contributions over the course of years speak volumes. True indeed, we did not begin our training for the race at the same time as our male counterparts-if we had, we would be running the universe.

Sources: Gendered Lives 8th Ed., Julia T. Wood; Wikipedia (forty-three)