Jack Kammer has been examining gender issues from a male perspective for almost four decades. In his latest episode of the Men Are Talking podcast, Jack speaks with Blair Daly of Washington Initiative for Boys and Men. This marks WIBM’s first-ever interview. The complete video is below. Here is how Jack kicks it off:
Today on Men are Talking we talk with Blair Daly, founder of Washington Initiative for Boys and Men based in Seattle. Blair is young, smart, fair, articulate, media-savvy, and he has a big, strong, beautiful, wise, compassionate heart. Here’s hoping that Blair’s calm, sincere, clear discussion of what he sees needing to be done encourages dozens, maybe hundreds, maybe thousands of other similarly-wonderful young men and women to stand up and say ‘Yeah, I’m up for that. I’m going to get in touch with Blair and tell him he has a new ally.’
Regarding the struggle for justice and equality for all, I now recognize that even as a man I held prejudices against men that I no longer do. And that’s such a positive thing because I don’t want to have prejudices against anyone.
Blair Daly, Washington Initiative for Boys and Men
Excerpt from Jack Kammer’s interview with WIBM
Blair Daly: Jack, you talked about how people in your day who advocated for men’s issues were thought of as troglodytes in mainstream popular culture.
I would have been one of those people to judge you negatively like that. I’ve come a long way in dropping some of my prejudices.
I’ve sort of had two conversions in my life. One of them was a conversion to Christianity when I was 17. When I was 30 I had my eyes opened to caring about boys’ and men’s issues, and it felt like a second conversion. It changed the lens through which I see the world – very much for the better in my opinion.
Read related blog post: Chairperson of King County Council rejects idea of a Men’s Commission: ‘Men don’t face systemic discrimination, Women do’
I’m as happy or happier than I’ve ever been. I’m as loving and compassionate toward people as I’ve ever been. But what I’ve added to my love and compassion is a care for men. I’ve become a great fan of men through the writing and speaking of people like you, Warren Farrell, and others whom I’m trying to continue the work you all have done over the decades.
Jack Kammer: I can say the same thing about myself. I’ve really come to appreciate, trust, and understand men much more than I used to.
Watch the full interview on YouTube or listen to it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Stitcher.
