Men Raised as Men Dialogue Series: Session 2
When: September 10, 12pm to 2pm Eastern
What: This convening is the second in a 3 part series of zoom calls that will offer opportunities to explore the complex and specific experiences of masculinity in 2024.
Context: Maleness and Masculinity are beautiful, potent and necessary parts of life and creation. At the same time, some of the great harms in the world today are expressions of masculinity run amok, born thousands of years ago, encouraged and celebrated for most of our history as human beings, behaviors that are now labeled as toxic. These behaviors live in our minds and our bodies. In order to understand these behaviors better, and find a pathway to embracing healthy masculinity, we need to understand where it shows up in our thoughts and how it affects what we choose to do–and not do–with our bodies. Exploring these dynamics takes vulnerability and courage. The Men Raised as Men Dialogue Series and Jam are intended as spaces to delve into these dynamics with others who have shared roots in how they were raised and common choices about how to be men in the world as adults.
Who: The heart of what this group wants to explore is life born in a male body, being raised and socialized as a man, and continuing to identify as a man.
Put simply – this is a gathering of Men raised as Men.
Note: Finding the right words to accurately describe gender is difficult, especially because people can understand words differently. We ask that you let us know if we have used language that is confusing to you, makes you wonder if this is the jam for you, causes you pain, or makes you feel excluded.
Greater Context: The Men Raised as Men Jam was the first in a new category of Jams on Men and Masculinity, where we’ll explore the full reality we see of the spectrum of masculinity. (Click here to read more about the full Men and Masculinity Series).
Organizer
Austin Willacy is a veteran member of The House Jacks, an acapella group with whom he has produced 10 full-length albums and completed multiple world tours. For the past 25 years, Austin has directed ‘Til Dawn, Youth in Arts’ teen a cappella group that empowers youth to find their voices in many ways. Austin is also an award-winning singer/songwriter with 4 CDs and 2 EPs to his name. His music has been featured on NBC’s “The Sing-Off”, and on three feature film soundtracks, including Thrive, a documentary with over 100 million views. He’s appeared in Rolling Stone and has performed with icons such as Bonnie Raitt and Ray Charles as well as newer artists like Rachael Yamagata and Amos Lee. As an organizer and facilitant for YES!, Austin is a part of the North America Jam, the Arts for Social Change Jam, the Anadolu Sanat Jam, the India Arts for Social Change Jam, the Black Diaspora Jam, the Men Raised as Men Jam, and the nascent All Men’s Jam.
Frank (Byrd) Phoenix is a retired Environmental Engineer. He now works with the Fenwick Foundation where he supports people and organizations working for a just and more beautiful world.
One of Byrd’s favorite things is to sit in circle following the practice of Way of Council. Way of Council practice is 10,000 old and sets a container for authentic speaking and listening. When done well a space of deep communication, love and healing can emerge. Another Byrd favorite is making prayer circles. Making prayer circles for Byrd is a way of honoring and connecting with Mother Earth and the Ancestors. His circles are a place to meet, connect and pray.
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