Progressive Masculinites

Where can men turn if they want to get involved in the fight to end male violence against women on campus and in surrounding communities?  The Progressive Masculinities Mentors are a group of concerned men who seek to work with other men in an attempt to transform traditional notions of “what it means to be a man” through support, education, and activism.  On October 15th 2007, a group of men decided to come together to show support for ending men’s violence against women and children at the SIU-C Student Health Center auditorium.  About 15 men attended the gathering as part of Take Back the Night, a national campaign locally sponsored by The Women Center.  During the meeting men from the SIU-C campus and in the surrounding community discussed very emotional issues pertaining to men’s violence against women.  At the end of the round table discussion all 15 men agreed that the group should continue to meet each week to share, support, educate, and work against violence.  The weekly meetings, entitled R.A.P (Raising Awareness Proactively) Sessions, has become quite popular amongst college men who come each week to talk openly and frankly about issues related to traditional masculine norms.  PMM has been active in the community enlisting young men from local middle and high schools to attend the R.A.P Sessions, which are held every Thursday night at 7pm in the Student Health Center room 111/112 during the fall and spring semesters.  Early in the spring of 08 PMM was coordinating campus and community-wide talks that drew crowds of up to 150 people to discuss date rape, domestic violence, and sexism to name a few issues.  With the help over 50 active members, PMM coordinated the first-ever Men Against Violence Week on SIU campus which resulted in several events, activities, and opportunities for men to join in the fight to end violence.  During the summer of 2008 PMM held a free four week workshop for males ages 12 to 18 that focused on Hip Hop and violence prevention.  This is a wonderful way for college males to learn social justice and responsibility, community service, and personal development.  We are a “new genderation of men” who welcomes other men to join our movement.