Eddie Robinson wanted a place for men to talk about real issues. He thinks he might’ve finally found it.
Two weeks ago, Eddie Robinson co-hosted David Alpern’s “For Your Ears Only.” On the show, he spoke with Tom Matlack about us and about Paul Kix’s “#OccupyVCs” piece. Then, he wrote this post.
The Good Men Project is a media alternative to traditional perceptions of what constitutes and defines a man (think anti-GQ/Details/Esquire, or even Sports Illustrated). This movement offers up a glimpse into the world of the “enlightened masculinity.” There’s also an associated book, The Good Men Project: Real Stories From the Front Lines of Modern Manhood, published under The Good Men Foundation, a nonprofit that donates book proceeds to the Boys and Girls Clubs and other charities.
I had never heard of this project before. But after reading a few posts, I was impressed with some of its content.
I mean—check out some of the post titles: “‘All I See Are White Men’: Confronting Racism in Silicon Valley,” “Non-Monogamy,” and two of my personal favorite posts, “Mostly Straight, Most of the Time” and “The New Macho.” The last two posts address a topic similar to a post I had written on my personal blog last year that featured the rugby legend, Gareth Thomas: “The Courage of a Real Man: Defy StereoTypes.”
Tom Matlack is co-founder of the Good Men Project online magazine at goodmenproject.com, whose latest issue features the Occupy VC argument—the story primarily covered on David’s radio show.
As I continued to read through several posts on the Good Men Project, I couldn’t help but remember an incident that happened to me about three years ago. Back in 2008, I went with a group of (gay male) friends to see the film Sex and the City. Immediately after the movie ended, I almost wanted to throw up! I began thinking to myself—“Eddie, you’re gay, aren’t you supposed to love this movie and go completely bizarre over the story lines and fashions of Carrie and Samantha and all the rest of those characters you seriously couldn’t attempt to name right now!?” Lo and behold, I walked away from the theater incredibly depressed and kind of disgusted.
Afterwards, we all went out for dinner, and I remember exclaiming at the table, “Why can’t there be a film FOR men—I mean, real men? Why can’t men feel good about themselves?” And the three of them looked at me like, “Hmmm, Eddie, that’s a thought … but that’s why we have therapy—anyway, pass the guacamole.”
Well, fast-forward to present-day. It feels amazingly refreshing to read stories and comments from the Good Men Project about the complexities of men. The site discusses issues related to race, family, gender, and sexuality—subject matter I think about mentally but perhaps I try to avoid talking about openly.
Matlack recently made a comment in one of his interviews stating, “Men are not Bud Light commercials.” Although Bud Light (Lime) is actually the only beer I’ll drink, I get where he’s coming from. Men are as complicated, if not more complicated, than women. But Tom’s statement impacts advertisers. For instance, there are whiskey ads on The Good Men Project, but no beer—so I’m curious as to how other advertisers have reacted to his project’s perspective, Good Men’s level of growth, and how they’ve been able to measure their success.
Unfortunately, the length of the FYEO segment only allowed us to talk very briefly about the Occupy VC story and the origins of the project.
I’m sure we’ll continue to hear more about the Good Men Project as well as its provocative ideology known as the new “Manhood Movement” in the very near future!
Originally appeared at EddieRobinsonOnline.com.
—Photo merfam/Flickr
The bigger, deeper question is what makes a good person. I’m not fully convinced that there needs to be completely different categories for good men and good women, beyond some specific, unavoidable variations. (Like, under “Take responsibility for your sexual and reproductive choices,” maybe a subcategory “how to use your penis like a responsible adult.”)
For example, I don’t think “being a good father” or “being a good husband” needs more attention than “being a good parent” or “being a good partner.”
The only people that are keen on this rehash of patriarchy an the “real (good) man” are feminists. The non-feminist readership, that would be the majority, are rejecting the shaming, feminist propaganda and bogus stats, neo-chivalry etc
Patriarchy is over TGMP, men are no longer the parents of and utilities of women. A real/good man is not defined by women, or his utility to them.
You ask the question “Is a Good Man Hard to Define?”
In many ways no!
What is The Big Issue is how “Good Men Are Being Defined!” and even by who!
Those definitions, which are all too often not made by men, are making it harder and harder to be a man let alone good! P^)
The New/Neo “Manhood Movement” is seen by many as Heretical. At this rate men will have to find a nice ship, call it The May Flower and head off to Pastures New and Free. Many can’t wait for Thanks Giving! P^)