Men’s movements movements suffer from narcissism and do not adequately address the problem of male privilege. An authentic men’s movement must be pro-feminist: women are entitled to a collective identity and vie for their rights – gender equity and gender equality. In masculinist consciousness and mindfulness, which undergirds our celebration of International Men’s Day, we should acknowledge fully and be cognizant of the vast array and spectrums of privileges enjoyed and burdens endured by males and men.
What should be celebrated and honoured the most out of men’s virtues?
I aver that men must celebrate, first and foremost, the greatest male philosophers (and political scholars) such as Indigenous philosophers, the Buddha (from the East), Al-Jahiz (from the Middle-East). Nelson Mandela (from Africa), Andrés Bello (from South America), Martin Luther King (from North America), and Marx (Europe), to name a few. Then there are eminent scientific scholars such as Einstein who should also be celebrated and honoured. Equally, great male philosophers include men and Elders of ‘hunger-gatherer’ societies and cultures, and International Men’s Day must be multi-cultural – celebrating great men of all cultures, societies and ‘races’. We should avoid ethnocentrism, and extract positive meaning and synthesis of men of all cultures.
The aim of International Men’s Day should be to encourage masculine identity to be better associated with philosophical, scientific, political and social contribution in society.
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