By Gabe Dickens | City of Rusk, Carpenter County

Ali Khaleel, Cory Roseth, Derrick Collins, Bob Shappel and Sam Herriges each talked last night at the speech titled the “Man Box”.

As I entered, I was skeptical and worried about what I was about to get into.

Some of the things running through my mind including broad sweeping claims on my “Duty to God” and other things a growing young man would struggle to live up to.

But, I was genuinely surprised. Each counselor talked about his struggle and how when he was younger he struggled to fit what the stereotypical male figure was.

Many of these speeches moved my peers to shed tears. Everyone gave an outstanding round of applause in a respectful manner after each counselor talked about his struggles.

Many were moved in an irreversible manner learning that these classical masculine ideals don’t matter or define us and hearing from an authority figure that “man up,” a phrase many are familiar with, should never be used as an instruction to young men.

These speeches clearly showed that these ideas of what a man should look like are so simplistic and narrow so as to exclude those with genuine characteristics that don’t matter to that larger stigma. Counselors showed that some larger stigmas over different skin or sexuality do have an impact and that the real things that make us men have nothing to do with these differences.

Following these speeches, something amazing happened. Almost every boy in the City of Rusk opened up in our private quarters and shared their struggles. Out of respect it is best not to disclose these struggles.

It was truly amazing to see my peers after only three days open up and share things that they have been hesitant to tell their families or any of their friends. This was the power one speech had and the emotional stimulus it gave to them to facilitate a chain reaction of openness — something I’m grateful to have experienced.

The speeches last night not only taught a valuable lesson, but they have also inspired us all to be more open with others and express genuine empathy. The speeches speak to the ease with which one can be influenced to speak about themselves and open up allowing others to know said person on a deep level and get to their real struggles — not the facade many would put on as they go through their day.

This was a memorable experience which many commented on as having been the best experience of their lives allowing them to have built lifelong bonds, something that is not gained easily and often taken for granted.

It is our capability to love and open up to others that makes us men, as demonstrated last night.