This Expert Dismantles All The Topics About What It Is To Be A Man

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Winds of change are blowing in the field of men's cosmetics. Nobody is surprised by the news that men use more and more cosmetics, however in Ax, the firm best known for its male deodorants, they have identified a problem that goes beyond whether or not they use cosmetics and treats to banish forever the idea that a man should be only one way: strong, cold, athletic … a male.

The firm has joined forces with singer John Legend and inclusive masculinity expert and author of the book "Man Up" Carlos Andrés Gómez who explained to us what this term is about and why it is important.

What exactly does a masculinity expert do?

I am dedicated to traveling the world promoting inclusive ideas about masculinity, trying to strike up conversations with young kids about what masculinity means and trying to end the idea that a man can only be in a certain way. The good thing about Ax's “Find your magic” campaign is that it tries to break that cycle of toxic masculinity that for me is like my mission in this life. I have dedicated the last ten years [of my life] to encouraging young boys to be the best and most authentic version of themselves.

What does being a man mean to you?

I think there is grace, which for each person means something different. What is the best version of yourself? That is what it is to be a man to you.

How did you decide to make this your mission?

When I was growing up, everyone told me that you had to be tough, you couldn't get excited, you couldn't be sensitive or ask for help, and you had to be athletic. This program tries to put an end to that and encourage them to be who they want to be, be it gay, straight, artistic, athletic, who likes poetry and basketball at the same time as I do. You can be all those things and be a boy.

When did you realize that those topics about what a man should be like were false?

When I was 17 I was very popular, I was on the basketball team, [let's say] he fulfilled all the requirements of what a boy is supposed to be and I realized that he was totally depressed and felt lost. There I realized that I had to rethink my idea about masculinity. At that time the Nuyorican poet Martin Espada came to visit my school and it affected me a lot, I ended up crying after listening to him.

Who do you think are good examples of this inclusive and more authentic masculinity today?

John Legend seems to me a very good example. He is a former Ivy League student, multiple Grammy winner, he is a husband, a father. [These kinds of] people who celebrate their best version of themselves give me hope.

Tell us what is the Senior Orientation program that you are going to launch with John Legend to do at the Centennial Institute in Columbus, Ohio?

High school students need this type of advice and information the most. The idea is a combination of classes, talks and activities in which we will both participate for a month to encourage them to dare to be themselves. The goal is for the older students to serve as an example of these values to the younger ones, through all these initiatives that will take place in the month of October.