I'm so ashamed to be that man
To reinforce convention
I'm so afraid to be that man
To reiterate that human mistake
That identity is based on the goal that being a man means playing a role where what I am is measured by who I control
I know of no other way than to play this power game
I know of no other way than to dominate and subordinate
I am so ashamed to reinforce convention
Must I shut off emotion in the name of identity?
I wear the mask of the masculine
My face has grown to fit this facade
To refuse this unequal relation is to have no role; no identity
Power over the powerless
This image is thin, transparent yet unpenetrated
Integrate passivity
Validate dominion as identity
That unquestioned path
That relentless shutting down of emotion unresolved
That power structure: one above another, of lesser and greater, where compassion is weakness
Assimilate this script as fact
How long can this go unquestioned?
How long can this go unchallenged?
Can I relate outside of these roles?
Every action is a choice
Every relation can be undominated
To go against these roles is to go against all I've known
I cannot do this on my own
Every action is a choice
How long can this go unchallenged?
To go against these roles is to go against all I've known
I cannot do this on my own
To go against these roles is to go against all I've known
I can't do this on my own