We see in the actions of ICE such as kidnapping a five-year-old in order to get to the father, a form of masculinity, which is toxic and has a negative impact on our society. Toxic masculinity is characterized by fear, weakness, racism, aggression, and lack of empathy. You can tell this because of the masks, the inability to identify with name tags and the brutality of many of the arrests, even of United States citizens. They are poisoning our country by creating an environment filled with fear and depression. I picture the image I saw on the screen of an 80+ year old veteran, hands tied behind his back and two ice agents, one on each side, holding him by the arms and carrying his walker. If that isn’t a perfect picture of toxic masculinity and fear I don’t know what is

Contrast that with what it means for a caring humanity, men and women, respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is time for adults to embrace these values and treat everyone with dignity and reject behaviors that dehumanize or harm others. I would like to stress the embracing of diversity and inclusion is essential for healing our society and overcoming the destructive effects of toxic masculinity.

Harold Robert Case

Alpena