Toxic masculinity is the notion that excuses hyper-masculine behavior and its dangers to society at large. Behaviors like violence, misogyny, sexual aggressiveness, narcissism and sociopathy are characterized as mainstream. Ideals such as “boys don’t cry,” “women belong barefoot and in the kitchen” and “man up” encourage men to suppress their emotions which translates into not being able to empathize with others.
Actor Terry Crews testified on Congress yesterday morning concerning the statute of limitations for sexual assault survivors and the Survivor Bill of Rights. Crews was sexually assaulted by a Hollywood executive in 2016 in the presence of his wife.
Instead of physically retaliating, Crews instead chose to shed light on sexual violence.
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Rapper 50 Cent proceeded to mock Crews in an Instagram post that has since been taken down. And therein lies the problem, men are chastised for speaking out against injustices while expected to grin and bear it.
Nevertheless, some men are not deterred and continue to discuss issues that affect men but are swept under the rug.
Scroll through to learn about the black men who are all for the end of toxic masculinity.
