I’ll say it again, I never intended for this to become a series. I never intended for this to be a thing.
But as the brilliant philosopher Tracy Jordan once said: “Heavy is the head that wears the crayon.”
Wait…what? That was on 30 Rock? Well dang, I had no idea.
“There’s a difference between, you know, patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right?”… but either way you look at it, it’s all activity done to someone without their consent. And it’s all an exercise of someone’s power over another.
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While I never intended for this to be a series, I am taking it on. As I have said before, the only way for the world to start working again is for more of us to step up and become kings. And to do this, we need to start a conversation. We need to have the conversation that no one else is having.
Y’know, there’s a website where that would be a perfect slogan…
Anyway, we need to have a conversation about what it means to be a king. What is a king? Who is he being? And what does being a king mean for the world?
I mean, I’m starting a podcast early in 2018 called Be a King dedicated to having that very conversation. Coming to iTunes and Google Play beginning January 5th. #notsoshamelessplug
Over the past few months, many men have been exposed as the peasants they are. I mean, how many famous and notable men have been fired, forced to resign, or otherwise ostracized because of sexual harassment, or sexual assault allegations?
It gets too many to count.
In this King series, I haven’t been afraid to go after people whose work I really do love. And today is no exception.
I don’t think I want to put him on the wheel of peasants for this, but it was close.
But I am going to give him this treatment…
Matt Damon…bruh!
Damon recently sat down for an interview with ABC News film critic Peter Travers in a segment called “Popcorn with Peter Travers.” It sure as hell didn’t wind up popcorny.
The subject of the #metoo movement came up. Primarily because of Damon’s connection and frequent collaboration with Harvey Weinstein and his production company.
Damon said in the interview that there was a spectrum of abuse.
“There’s a difference between, you know, patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right?” Damon said in the interview. “Both of those behaviors need to be confronted and eradicated, without question, but they shouldn’t be conflated, right?”
To this point, he’s not wrong. But either way you look at it, it’s all activity done to someone without their consent. And it’s all an exercise of someone’s power over another.
This comment – and others – have been ripped to shreds by some celebrities on social media (Alyssa Milano and Minnie Driver the most notable.) And honestly, for good reasons.
Matt, my only gripe is that you could have truly stepped up and said something bold. You could have used your influence and your fame to really make a case for men to use their power to be an agent of change and transformation.
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But the more I think about this story, I’m finding it hard to get outraged by his statements.
Were they out of line? Yeah. But they weren’t as reprehensible as some I’ve seen.
Speaking of reprehensible, as of this writing, Roy Moore still hasn’t conceded his election in Alabama. But that’s another story for another day.
This series isn’t always going to be about exposing peasants. In fact, today I want to shine the light on a real king in the news lately.
{insert comedic tire squealing sound effect here}
Wait one damn minute. I can actually create this movement by not – y’know – railing against peasants?
And I’m gonna do it right now.
His name is Thaddeus Bullard. But you know him as WWE superstar Titus O’Neil.
Following him on social media as of late has been a real treat. Here’s a guy who gets it. Here’s a guy who uses his power and influence to really make an impact on his world.
Time and time again, I see this guy in the news for charitable giving. From local high school sports teams to underprivileged children, I’m constantly seeing him in the news for giving.
Giving his time, money, and himself. And considering how often WWE stars travel, that’s no small feat. To say nothing of him having a family of his own.
To me, this is what being a king is all about. He sees a need, and he opens his heart and fills that need.
We need more men like Titus in this world. More men who aren’t afraid to open their hearts to show the world why love will always win. And while I assume he makes a healthy living in his chosen profession, he opens his wallet and his heart to give to those less fortunate.
But here’s the kicker. As a young man, Titus ran afoul of the law a few times. And he regularly speaks to schools and events where he shares his story. And he uses this to encourage people to stay out of trouble.
To me, this is what being a king is all about. He sees a need, and he opens his heart and fills that need.
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This is what I’m talking about! Here’s a powerful and influential man. He has money and fame. And he uses his power, influence, money, and fame to better the world!
If we had more men like Titus, the world might start working again.
Back to you, Matt. I get it. And I get you.
But my only gripe is that you could have truly stepped up and said something bold. You could have used your influence and your fame to really make a case for men to use their power to be an agent of change and transformation.
If I can leave you all with something, let me leave you with this.
We kings of the world have a sacred responsibility. A responsibility to take responsibility for who we’re being and how we’re showing up in the world.
We can’t control other people. We can’t do it. We can only control how we’re showing up.
There’s nothing wrong with having power. I have plenty of power through having my voice and presence on this website alone. But if we’re using our power to put others down instead of lifting each other up, I believe that’s where we fail.
Gentlemen, I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again and again until I’m blue in the face. I’ll keep saying it until we all get it.
The only way for the world to work again is for more of us to step up and become kings.
Let’s start now. How ‘bout that?
Photo by Nilton