I know many of you are still marinating in that dirty, post-election depression, stuck playing the twisted mind game of ‘Which of my neighbors are outright hateful bigots and which are just casually fine with hateful bigots?’ Are you still dodging the news, hoping to avoid the relentless march of America’s kakistocracy—now fueled by Christian Nationalism, weaponized ignorance, and a disturbing amount of graven bootlicking? I feel you. These days, solace feels like a luxury, though sometimes I find mine... Read more
Rethinking Masculine Strength Beyond Alpha Bro-vado
Former Catholic priest James Kavanaugh’s poem, “There Are Men Too Gentle to Live Among Wolves,” offers a look into a kind of masculinity that gets overshadowed in today’s MAGA-driven bro culture. The gentle men in his poem are the ones who “wonder if the leaves will change their color soon.” This vision sharply contrasts with the loud, chest-thumping version of “strength” we’re so often shown. These guys aren’t outdated or old-fashioned. They’re symbols of a different kind of strength –... Read more