What masculinity means to me

Having just written a story about once wearing an earring ring, I started asking thinking: I touched upon the topic of masculinity, so what does masculinity mean to me? Some of the traits I mention below aren’t really gender-specific but since I’m male and discussing masculinity, I’m mentioning them.

• Being empathetic and kind. Let me explain. I’m not talking about something romantic and high-minded. I’m mean something more practical. There are a lot of emotions in this world; emotions often lead to tension and confrontations — in family, in politics, in business, in sports. Being empathetic means being able to talk to an agitated individual or a bunch of individuals, calm them down and arrive at an acceptable solution. That’s leadership. Think of coaches in pro sports. They have to manage a bunch of unruly dudes. I follow the NBA for example, especially the Golden State Warriors. Draymond Green seems to have the wildest of characters. How does Steve Kerr deal with him? I’m sure Kerr is firm but he’s empathetic. He’s a nice guy and that helps him to win over the likes of Green. Think of Steph Curry. One of the best players ever, an “assassin” on the court — yet clearly a very empathetic and selfless individual. Look at how under his leadership the team assimilated Kevin Durant.
• Being infinitely respectful towards women. I don’t feel comfortable about these self-virtuous statements, but this is very important for me. I’ve made a ton of mistakes in my life and suffered many storms as a result. But I’ve also experienced a lot of love. I…