International Men’s Day is a day designed not to honor men, but call attention to men’s health. It takes place in November which comes as little surprise to most of us who are familiar with the movements, “No Shave November” and “Mo-vember.” Movements like the aforementioned were established to raise awareness for men’s health, specifically cancers, such as prostate and colon cancer. There is also an element of International Men’s Day that seeks to challenge the status quo in terms of patriarchal norms and behaviors by pushing for idealistic male role models in the forms of friends, mentors, brothers, uncles, fathers, and guardians alike.
A critical component to this work of appreciation is to not lose sight of what’s important, the uniqueness of our humanity with which each man can share in community. Systemically, there will always be differences found within each man – whether racial privileges, orientation privileges, privileges assigned to our varying degrees of abilities, or even religion; and it is important to note that they exist.
However, in light of the opposition we also want to note that, through the differences and contrived separation of powers, that we men have the ability to be better. To be there for our women, our sisters, our wives, our aunts, friends, and family members. To be allies in a time of need, and adversaries not against one another, but against the social systems that have worked to divide us.
So let’s celebrate International Men’s Day. Not as a way to give men a larger platform than we need, but rather, as a way to pressure us men to always strive to be better. We should treat this day as a time for learning, for critiquing, and, also for supporting - as time and time again history has proven that we men are incapable of doing it alone. And whether or not every McCain needed a Palin, I can say for sure that every Biden needs a Harris.
