“Proud Surpluses” - Strength Through Allyship
Written by: Temi Ogunjulugbe, Men4Choice Fellowship Alumni
After watching the new iteration of Superman, the movie serendipitously depicted a variation of strength and presence, especially from a traditionally masculine figure like Superman, axiomatically represented in his name. What jumped out to me was not the levitation of airplanes or freezing of a black hole—though very outstanding—but more of the way he shows up emotionally and in presence in his world, driving his constant will to protect and respect others. This film alone showed it is important that, even if we are not realistically comparable to Superman, we, the men of this time, have a chance to showcase a power very similar to his: compassion. And with the strength we are convinced to have, we need to utilize it to be better allies to others around us.
We should be vocally expressing the constant importance of protecting their rights and safety. An example: the reproductive rights movement. It is important that men continue to show up as allies in this fight and add to the manpower that it already overwhelmingly sustains. The reality is that, according to the Pew Research Center, 63% of Americans believe abortions should be legal. This is an indicator that this specific subject surrounding the reproductive autonomy of women is already popular, but it is also important that men, in due diligence, actively support and contribute to not only restoring reproductive freedom across the U.S., but using our intersectional advantages as an auxiliary to cement this cause.
This point of using our strength is also crucially important in mobilizing other men that may be passive or just disinterested to joining this cause, giving them, in good faith, an outlet to be altruistic in a world that at times lacks the situation for them to be. Reproductive freedom is just one of the causes to propagate, and it is significant that we are additions to the movements that solidifies various other rights and our dignity in this world. Significantly, this is a call to nobility. Just like the knights some of us may envision, this is our opportunity to step up, to be better for the people that get kicked down around us. We, though, should not do it with the motive of appreciation by those around us, but because they are human, simply deserving respect like us.
We should be “proud surpluses” to the betterment of those around us, no matter who or what they are. And this is what, going back to my childhood and forever buddy, Superman represents. With all of the strength and might he has—a man that shoulder-presses 737s—he could very likely be the oppressor of his entire universe, but instead chooses to save a squirrel in the middle of chaos. Admittedly and historically, men have been the poster boys of privilege, and I suggest we knock some sense into ourselves and utilize some of that towards protecting the safety, respect, and humanity of others.
We should be “proud surpluses” to progression, not idle squatters to regression. It is important that we are convicted in this idea because we truly are part of the last frontier to battle our communal shackles.
