An appropriately topical subject for my first post
The following essay on the role men can, and hopefully will, play in the future of shaping our society was inspired by the reveal of actor Nathan Fillion's "supersecretthingy," as he referred to it months ago.
The "supersecretthingy" is his participation in a public art project by artist Martin Firrell, entitled "Hero: the future of gods, icons and heroes". The project will be available on the web, and a full installation will be held in London at a future date.
More information on the project at http://www.martinfirrell.com/supersecretthingy.html My take on the subject after the cut.
Be kind, as this is my first official LJ post. Having said that, I am SO excited to begin journaling!
The concept of "family" - as a social unit, as an identity touchstone, as an institution or simply as a workable living situation - is changing at a rate that indicates [to me] that society is rapidly reaching an absolute crisis point: the definition of a "family" must become eternally fluid to continue to exist as a relevant concept. I personally believe that the single most important fact in the continually-changing definition of "family" is the acceptance by all sectors of society of the integral and multi-faceted role men play in the creation and future well-being of a family.
A Hero is a man who falls in love with a single mother and in that moment, begins to think of himself as a father. A man who does whatever is necessary and possible to stay involved in the lives of the children for whom he bears responsibility, long after his responsibility may have ended. A man whose self-image is defined by his role in his family, in his home-life, rather than as his earning potential/job title/power he may weld in a given industry.
That same man does not expect accolades, or special recognition for caring for the people he loves; that man is bewildered by the attitudes of those who assume that any man would/could do less, or those that consider a man who does such a thing to be making a particular sacrifice above and beyond what anyone who cares for his family would do.
A Hero is a man -
gay/straight/transgendered,
black/white/Middle Eastern/Asian/multi-racial,
married/single/widowed/committed
- who believes he contributes to the lives of children every single day simply by being wholly present in their lives.
He welcomes the awesome responsibility that comes with promising a child the world:
promising to stand behind him, to support him no matter what mistakes are made;
promising that while a Hero will never be perfect, he will always be loving;
promising to teach her what he knows, and to learn what he doesn't along side her;
promising himself to - above all else - teach by example, for there is no greater lesson than one learned by observing the actions of a man deserving of respect.
A real man understands and cherishes his part in shaping the men of tomorrow. A Hero considers such an opportunity a privilege.
The "supersecretthingy" is his participation in a public art project by artist Martin Firrell, entitled "Hero: the future of gods, icons and heroes". The project will be available on the web, and a full installation will be held in London at a future date.
More information on the project at http://www.martinfirrell.com/supersecretthingy.html My take on the subject after the cut.
Be kind, as this is my first official LJ post. Having said that, I am SO excited to begin journaling!
The concept of "family" - as a social unit, as an identity touchstone, as an institution or simply as a workable living situation - is changing at a rate that indicates [to me] that society is rapidly reaching an absolute crisis point: the definition of a "family" must become eternally fluid to continue to exist as a relevant concept. I personally believe that the single most important fact in the continually-changing definition of "family" is the acceptance by all sectors of society of the integral and multi-faceted role men play in the creation and future well-being of a family.
A Hero is a man who falls in love with a single mother and in that moment, begins to think of himself as a father. A man who does whatever is necessary and possible to stay involved in the lives of the children for whom he bears responsibility, long after his responsibility may have ended. A man whose self-image is defined by his role in his family, in his home-life, rather than as his earning potential/job title/power he may weld in a given industry.
That same man does not expect accolades, or special recognition for caring for the people he loves; that man is bewildered by the attitudes of those who assume that any man would/could do less, or those that consider a man who does such a thing to be making a particular sacrifice above and beyond what anyone who cares for his family would do.
A Hero is a man -
gay/straight/transgendered,
black/white/Middle Eastern/Asian/multi-racial,
married/single/widowed/committed
- who believes he contributes to the lives of children every single day simply by being wholly present in their lives.
He welcomes the awesome responsibility that comes with promising a child the world:
promising to stand behind him, to support him no matter what mistakes are made;
promising that while a Hero will never be perfect, he will always be loving;
promising to teach her what he knows, and to learn what he doesn't along side her;
promising himself to - above all else - teach by example, for there is no greater lesson than one learned by observing the actions of a man deserving of respect.
A real man understands and cherishes his part in shaping the men of tomorrow. A Hero considers such an opportunity a privilege.