Dear Patch,*
As we discussed, we look forward to working together to launch the “Men’s Liberation Movement.” That is, a transcendentalist approach, in the Concord spirit, to these realms (visible/invisible) in which we find ourselves.
That is: How do we (men) liberate ourselves from those forces that would use us, in order to abuse our women? Otherwise expressed, how do we (men) liberate ourselves from those forces that would abuse us, in order to use our women?
“What got into me?” we say.
“What came over me… gripped me… What possessed me?“
“How do I get a hold of myself?” My self, my Self?
The Men’s Liberation Gatherings couldn’t be more simple (all that is required is for two or more to gather any time, any place):
1) Men gather in an inner circle.
2) Instead of locking the women out of the room, our sisters are invited to gather in an outer circle and listen in. The movement is about our shared humanity.
3) Someone introduces the gathering. See paragraph two above.
4) Each man is invited to invite, in turn, another man into the circle “beside” them in spirit: a brother, son, father, friend, who they believe/know has struggled with this issue of liberating themselves from those forces that would use/abuse them, in order to abuse/use their women.
5) Once the inner circle is complete, someone speaks up, says how he has sought to liberate himself, as noted.
6) Once the first man has spoken, the next is invited to speak and so on around the circle.
7) When all the men who’ve gathered have had their say, they pause, take a break if desired, and return to reflect on the process in whatever way they are moved.
8) When the reflections are completed, the men turn they chairs around to the outer circle and invite response from the women, who have been granted the opportunity, as noted, to listen into one of the most existential issues that modern men face.
9) The women are encouraged to simply share what they themselves have experienced, as opposed to offering remarks, judgments about their “brothers’ words. The women are invited to simply share how the men’s words touched, spoke to them.
10) A dance together can conclude the session, as one and all are moved: “To bow and to bend (curtesy), we shan’t be ashamed.”
Stuart-Sinclair Weeks
Founder, Center for American Studies at Concord
* We are looking forward to the good doctor (Patch Adams) himself joining the Center in taking up this initiative to bring forth circles for Men’s Liberation — a contribution to the healing of our sacred relations in and for our time!