Activist redefines the American man
Award-winning author Kevin Powell challenges social constructs of masculinity in America, media's influence on men
By: Jon Baird
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Lifestyle
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Powell talked about the media's role in supplying male examples, implying how easy it is for a young male to get the wrong idea about gender identity from negative influences in TV and music.
"If you don't have male role models and you're not consciously trying to redefine manhood, it can get easy to be tricked into thinking that's what a man is," Powell said.
During the Q&A following the presentation, students had a chance to ask Powell questions and discuss the topics of his presentation. In response to a student who asked how individuals can make an impact when they can't affect the mainstream media, Powell issued a direct order.
"Take the word 'can't' out of your vocabulary right now," Powell said. "Ask yourself what you want to do, and ask
yourself what's stopping you. Really, what's stopping you?"
Larry Morris, a senior audio production major, felt that not only was Powell's message important, but it was delivered perfectly.
"I think he presented it in the most straightforward, realistic, simple way," Morris said. "I'm very glad that he was able to come to St. Louis and talk to these guys; I think it was a really
uplifting experience."
Don Conway-Long, an associate professor of behavioral and social sciences at WU, said he shared Powell's views.
"The guy's my brother, and I just met him tonight," Conway-Long said. "I had no idea he'd be quite as close to what I believe in."
Toward the end of the Q&A, Powell paused to express his pleasure at how intelligent the audience's questions were.
"I was having a rough day, but you all have given me a renewed hope," Powell said. "The real genius in this country is young people, and you all are it."
"If you don't have male role models and you're not consciously trying to redefine manhood, it can get easy to be tricked into thinking that's what a man is," Powell said.
During the Q&A following the presentation, students had a chance to ask Powell questions and discuss the topics of his presentation. In response to a student who asked how individuals can make an impact when they can't affect the mainstream media, Powell issued a direct order.
"Take the word 'can't' out of your vocabulary right now," Powell said. "Ask yourself what you want to do, and ask
yourself what's stopping you. Really, what's stopping you?"
Larry Morris, a senior audio production major, felt that not only was Powell's message important, but it was delivered perfectly.
"I think he presented it in the most straightforward, realistic, simple way," Morris said. "I'm very glad that he was able to come to St. Louis and talk to these guys; I think it was a really
uplifting experience."
Don Conway-Long, an associate professor of behavioral and social sciences at WU, said he shared Powell's views.
"The guy's my brother, and I just met him tonight," Conway-Long said. "I had no idea he'd be quite as close to what I believe in."
Toward the end of the Q&A, Powell paused to express his pleasure at how intelligent the audience's questions were.
"I was having a rough day, but you all have given me a renewed hope," Powell said. "The real genius in this country is young people, and you all are it."
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