Over the last week, A Manifesto for Conscious Women has received accolades and attacks from men and women. One of the biggest criticisms was how we mirrored Arjuna Ardagh and Gay Hendricks’ “A Manifesto for Conscious Men.” While elements of our Manifesto were sincerely heartfelt, overall our piece had a different tone. It was purposely written as a rebuttal and parody. Many have appreciated its bluntness. Others found it difficult to acknowledge truths because of its style. And some don’t agree we referenced the most accurate data.
In defense of its style and content, I pulled a few comments from a reader. “The piece needed to be written to show what the other side of the coin looks like. If articles like ‘A Manifesto for Conscious Men’ and videos like ‘Dear Woman’ are not responded to, the general public only hear one voice. (No thanks to the general media.) Nobody should be held accountable or made to apologize for somone else’s crime. So while I applaud the article, I hate it’s necessity.”
This blog is about “Everyday Inner Peace,” and I know my readers expected more of a “feel-good” piece. If you’re one of them, you’ll likely enjoy today’s feature much more.
A few days ago, I found “Dear Man.” This video mirrors Arjuna and Gay’s “Dear Woman” video. You’ll see it acknowledges a few additional points we missed. I suspect women will have a hard time disagreeing with any statement. Thought it was spot on! You’ll find the delivery more in line with the energy of Arjuna and Gay’s “Dear Woman.” Judging by responses below, I’m sure some will appreciate its style over our Manifesto, and others will mock it.
NOTE: Seems the overall consensus is, men and women alike don’t care for collective honoring and collective apologies. As one person shared with my privately, “I’d rather just have the data minus any generic apologies or honorings, along with a clear statement of specific actions that are being taken to deal with the specific harm one has done to specific others of the opposite sex. The war between the genders will not stop, I believe, until both can openly gaze upon the harm done by both and GRIEVE together…”
Couldn’t agree more. Perhaps future discussions can focus on next best actions to take. But today, I’d love to hear your thoughts about “Dear Man.”
There are many ways men have harmed women. But today, we’re shining a light on our brothers, fathers, sons, husbands, colleagues and other men we know and don’t know. Both “Dear Man” and “A Manifesto for Conscious Women” point to the numerous ways women have harmed men. Each piece does it in a different way. Awareness is always the first step toward any change.
How would you compare the two? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Personally, I think they’re ALL ridiculous, however if you were going to parody the original, this is what a true parody looks like: http://funnyordie.com/m/5sh8
Thanks Julia, totally see how collective apologies are ridiculous! And yes, parody of Manifesto for Conscious Men is quite funny. Another effective style of expression.
From a Conscious and Sovereign Woman to the Men of Planet Earth
I respect and honour you for providing strength, stability and protection for our well-being, and for recognizing the contributions made through my strength, stability and vigilance for my own safety and yours. Together, we can create an environment that is beautiful and comfortable and allows for our ongoing journey into Ascension as individuals and as a planet.
I respect and honour your intelligence, leadership and willingness to provide, and your ability to recognize my intelligence, leadership and willingness to provide as well.
I deeply appreciate your unique gifts, your generosity, flexibility and ingenuity.
As I have worked to achieve equality between men and women in my society, my own independence and my sense of myself as sovereign, I have sometimes blamed men for my experiences, which in fact I created for myself and through my own divinity and creatorship.
I honour you for providing material sustenance, safe spaces and guidance from a man’s perspective for the children around you, your own and the offspring of those whom you care about. The development of children is only complete and balanced when both men and women are actively engaged in ensuring that the children are provided for in ways that serve their highest good.
I honour you for providing for those whom you care about, even as you provide for yourself.
I honour you for your steadfast loyalty through all that we have shared together.
I honour you for being kind, considerate and for your nobility of character. I have seen you place yourself in an uncomfortable situation in order to ensure the comfort of another person. This, for me, is the mark of a gentleman.
I honour you by giving you the freedom to make your own choices about what you do with your body.
I honour all the soldiers, police and firemen, their choices and their experiences, who have sacrificed their lives or their wellbeing to keep others safe. I honour that spirit of service in men that brings them to sacrifice their lives for others, even as I acknowledge the sovereignty of every single man, woman and child on this planet.
I honour you for your risk-taking, pushing boundaries and competitive nature, which are part of the great balance of the World-Whole-Being.
I honour you for your enterprise, ingenuity and hard work, and for your recognition of my enterprise, ingenuity and hard work.
I acknowledge that boys and girls have different learning styles and honour both. I look forward to knowing that both boys and girls needs are met in the school environment, so that both boys and girls can thrive and become all that they choose to.
I honour you for choosing to fully develop your mind, body, consciousness and spirit so you can maximize your contribution to humanity.
I honour your stamina and drive to provide for your family.
I honour both men and women for creating many media to spread information and entertainment around the world. I am saddened that, in the past decade or two, these media often portray men in ways that denigrate them, just as I was saddened that these media often portrayed women in ways that denigrated women in the previous decades. I look forward to seeing realistic and respectful portrayals of men, women, and children of all races, nationalities, religious and spiritual beliefs, and sexual orientations in the years and decades to some.
I honour your strength and athletic ability and the grace and beauty of your physical form.
I appreciate the grandeur of what has been created by men and women. The next time I find myself high atop a skyscraper or crossing a great bridge, I will take in the sheer grandeur of it and appreciate the men and women who took it from imagination to reality.
I honour you for having the wisdom and the courage to recognize my reproductive rights.
I honour you for acknowledging your role in creating a new human life on this planet.
I honour you for your integrity and sense of responsibility.
I honour your commitment to the institution of marriage, even when it means sacrificing your wants and needs for the sake of the relationship, and I honour your recognition of my commitment to the institution of marriage even when it means sacrificing my wants and needs for the sake of the relationship. Together, honouring each other within the marriage, we enrich each other’s lives.
I intend not to confuse honouring women with denigrating men. I intend to honour both men and women, as well as children and all life forms on Earth. I do not think less of myself for honouring and acknowledging men and their contributions to the well-being of all of us. We all have gifts and strengths to share with each other and no one deserves preferential treatment.
From the God that I AM, to the God that You ARE, Namasté.
Dear Men, Dear Women, Dear HUMANS: I do not apologize for anything, and I don’t need your apologies either.
Hi Mary,
I haven’t seen the mentioned videos but I wanted to sound in on a personal experience.
Many years ago I was in Gatesville Texas on death row. No, I was not incarcerated, I was with a ministering team of volunteers who visited and prayed with the women living there.
During one of the meetings, the husband of our leader stood before these women and apologized for the harm done by men in their lives.
The electricity in the room was astounding. You could tell that these women had not ever heard anything like this. Tears and healing followed.
The biggest surprise was my own reaction. My dad was violent and alcoholic and I saw plenty of tough stuff growing up. When he said these words, I was overwhelmed with emotion myself.
It was live and not a video and it was directed toward women who were truly in the worst possible life challenges but it was a singularly remarkable experience that still gives me goose bumps.
Thanks for the conversation.
Whatever helps release and clear the old emotional wounds deserves respect, IMHO.
Love,
Catherine
In awe of that ansewr! Really cool!