It’s hard keeping up with the massive amount of TED Talk videos generated by nearly daily TEDx affiliated events. But thanks to social media, the most amazing and transformative TED Talks still percolate to the top and hopefully generate some positive change.
The TED Talk below is one of the best I’ve ever seen. You can’t watch it and not be totally transformed by the message — in particular if you are a man. When I say transformed I mean it — this will change your worldview. Any man who watches this video will become a feminist — and a better man. If that freaks you out, then you definitely need to watch it. My comments how this relates to aging after the video — just watch it.
It’s a powerful message. And it hits home for me personally. I am now and have always been surrounded by women I love. I grew up with a single mom and three sisters. That circle has grown to include a wife, daughter, mother-in-law and sister-in-law.
I have no complaints whatsoever about Jackson Katz’ message and delivery here. Physical and other forms of violence perpetrated by men against women and others is a serious, rampant problem. I will simply add that he could have easily included ageism in his message and everything he recommended to reframe sexism, racism, homophobia and violence would apply.
I personally found Katz’ message extremely liberating. As a man, white, who is far from old, I’ve often found it challenging to discuss issues that on the surface appear to have nothing to do with me. What do I know about being discriminated against due to race, gender or age? How could I possibly understand what it’s like to be a woman, like one of our readers, who felt she became invisible to society because her hair had gone grey?
Jackson Katz is right — I know everything I need to know. I know that it’s not their fault this is happening, it’s mine… if I fail to stand up and speak out. I have a responsibility and a right to speak out against injustice and discrimination especially because I fall into the demographic least likely to experience it and most likely to perpetrate it.
How you frame a problem, think about it and talk about it matter. When it comes to changing aging, ending discrimination and violence, it is quite simple and true to say that if you are not part of the solution, you ARE the problem.
Please share this post, especially with any men you know — especially if they have a mother.
Happy Mother’s Day in advance!
The post is so informative
Dr. Bill Thomas, I was hoping that this lecture delivered by Jackson Katz took a few minutes to discuss and make others realize that there is a ‘big black box’ in Society that forgets about Senior (both men and women) physical and financial abuse. Who is responsible in this situation and how can we prevent these tragedies from escalating out of control?