In an era when brave sexual assault victims are coming forward and saying “Me Too,” when governments tear families apart at borders, and when the sustainability of democracy is constantly being questioned, it is difficult to put the plight of the modern man at the forefront of our concerns. However, artist and advocate Jake Young suggests that redefining masculinity, in particular, has the power to set us on a path towards greater inclusion and acceptance. By encouraging male-identifying individuals to embrace their vulnerability, might we save the victims of manipulative and overbearing men? Jake Young is an actor and artist hailing from Sacramento, California. He currently studies musical theatre at Texas State University. Jake started performing in plays and musicals when he was eight years old, embedded in a community that disregarded the arts in favor of the local high school football team. As a result, Jake spent most of his young life suppressing his most vibrant qualities in favor of a more socially-acceptable identity. However, his outlook changed when some high school mentors showed him that masculinity was not as “black and white” as he thought. Determined to encourage young male artists across the country, Jake has spent the last few years researching and analyzing traditional American masculinity. Jake believes that redefining what it means to be masculine in the modern era has the potential to eradicate numerous social hurdles our country faces today. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at [ Ссылка ]
