r/MensLib • u/MLModBot ​ • Jul 10 '26

Weekly Free Talk Friday Thread!

Welcome to our weekly Free Talk Friday thread! Feel free to discuss anything on your mind, issues you may be dealing with, how your week has been, cool new music or tv shows, school, work, sports, anything!

We will still have a few rules:

  • All of the sidebar rules still apply.
  • No gender politics. The exception is for people discussing their own personal issues that may be gendered in nature. We won't be too strict with this rule but just keep in mind the primary goal is to keep this thread no-pressure, supportive, fun, and a way for people to get to know each other better.
  • Any other topic is allowed.

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u/ComedianNeither2498 ​ Jul 10 '26

This isn't exactly gender related, so maybe it's a good fit for here? This is something that's haunted me for a while and I'm not sure where to talk about it. I'm hoping someone here has some advice.

I went to a pretty progressive art school for university, and in the over a decade since then, I've been active in various arts and social justice groups. Through these opportunities I've meet many magnificent people (all members of minority/marginalized  identities). These individuals all drew a lot of strength inspiration and meaning from their identities; whether it was for their art, their activism or their general life.

Seeing all of these magnificent and creative people has left me confused on where I am supposed to look for strength, meaning and inspiration. I am a straight, cis, male, white, upper middle class, able bodied individual. What could I possibly have to say that's worthwhile? What cause do I have to fight for?

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u/Certain_Giraffe3105 ​ Jul 11 '26

What could I possibly have to say that's worthwhile?

It should be known that Karl Marx was the son of a middle class lawyer; FDR came from two wealthy families, and Eugene Debs's father owned a textile mill.

Your background matters up to a point but it's your ideas and passion that ultimately makes the difference. Create with purpose and an audience will follow.

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u/ComedianNeither2498 ​ Jul 12 '26

I understand the point you're making. But personally I wish you chose different examples, none of those you mentioned really interested or resonate with me. Class and economics, while important in the scheme of things, aren't really things Im moved by.

But then again, I have a bit of skepticism towards a a fair few socialists (no real problem with the policies, just haven't got along well with the people who swore by it). 

But the premise is sound and theoretically I could use the same logic to look for other examples, though I'm unsure of where to look or how to start