Library will screen documentary exploring view of masculinity

(Originally published in the 3/17/16 edition)

   “Man up”…”Be a man”…”Boys don’t cry”…”You’re acting like a girl.”

   These are among the many common phrases that emphasize what society has determined what it means to be a man. Dictionary.com defines masculinity as “Something traditionally considered to be characteristic of a male” and lists among its synonyms “machismo,” “muscularity,” “strength” and “manliness.” Under this definition, a man is considered a man if he is tough and does not show emotion.

   But could this narrow definition of masculinity possibly have a damaging effect on young males? This is a question posed by the documentary, “The Mask You Live in,” which will be screened at Benicia Public Library next week. 

   “The Mask You Live in” was directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Lt. Gov Gavin Newsom. The filmmaker had previously directed the 2011 documentary “Miss Representation,” which examined the poor portrayal of women in the media and how it contributed to the underrepresentation of women in powerful positions. The movie was an official selection at several film festivals across the country— including the Sundance Film Festival—and inspired Newsom to launch The Representation Project, a nonprofit aimed at using film for promoting positive portrayals of genders and combating stereotypes. 

   According to Library Teen Services Director Brandi Bette Smead, Benicia Public Library screened “Miss Represenation” after being approached by a parent. The screening was a huge success and prompted much discussion. 

   “The audience just came up with some really amazing questions,” she said. “The library closed at 9, and we actually didn’t finish our discussion until after the library had closed.” 

   When Smead heard Newsom was working on another documentary, she determined the library would do another screening when the movie came out.

   Whereas “Miss Representation” focused on the portrayal of women in the media, for “The Mask You Live in,” Newsom chose to set her sights on society’s portrayal of men and how it feeds into people’s perceptions of what it means to be masculine. According to “The Mask You Live in,” movies, TV shows, athletics, comic books and even some forms of music propagate the notion that men have to be strong and unsentimental to affirm their manhood. What this creates is a standard that young males feel they have to live up to, and the film argues that it has negative effects on their livelihoods. According to the Institute of Education Sciences, when compared to girls, boys are more likely to drop out of school, be enrolled in special education classes or be expelled. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also noted that three or more boys commit suicide every day and suicide is the third leading cause of death for boys. 

   Smead hopes the audience at next week’s screening is a mixture of teens and adults to provide different points of view.

   “If they’re an adult, they can say what it was like when they were a teenager being told to man up or hide your emotions,” she said. “I want to hear from girls’ points of view as well. I want a total mix in the audience.”

   “There’s a lot of teenagers who consider themselves gender fluid, so I’d like to hear from some of them,” she added. 

   Smead is also hoping to have a small panel consisting of a Benicia Unified School District psychologist, district teacher and student to help facilitate the discussion, which she hopes will be influential to attendees.

   “I think it’s important for everyone to understand- whether you’re a guy or a girl-to understand the pressures that society puts on you,” she said. “I think everyone should be free to respond naturally, not in a way that gender tells them they have to.”

   Smead says the film will give people plenty to talk about afterwards.

   “Whether or not the conversation is finished, it will open up a conversation to be continued,” she said.

   “The Mask You Live in” will be screened at 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 23 at the Benicia Public Library, located at 150 E L St. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (707) 746-4343. 

Poster courtesy of Benicia Public Library

   

   

Film on college sexual assaults to be screened in Vallejo

(Originally published in the 3/15/16 edition)

   The Benicia-Vallejo American Association of University Women will be partnering with SafeQuest Solano to present a free screening of the Academy Award-nominated documentary “The Hunting Ground,” which addresses the growing issue of sexual assaults on college campuses. 

   “The Hunting Ground” was directed by Kirby Dick, who had previously received Best Documentary nominations for “Twist of Faith” and “The Invisible War.” After exploring cases of sexual assault in the military in the latter film, the director was inspired to make another documentary focusing on sexual assaults within another American institution: its own colleges. The film focuses on Andrea Pino and Annie E. Clark, two former University of North Carolina students who claimed they were raped while enrolled in the school and filed a Title IX claim against UNC after not feeling supported by the college. The documentary also discusses other incidents at several well-known universities, including Harvard, Notre Dame and Florida State University.

   The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2015, and an edited version aired on CNN in November. In addition, an original composition by Lady Gaga titled “Til it Happens to You” received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.

   SafeQuest Solano, a nonprofit organization that provides for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, had purchased a DVD copy of “The Hunting Ground” and partnered with Benicia-Vallejo AAUW to present a free public screening at Touro University in Vallejo. 

   “What we’re both interested in is prevention,” AAUW Program Coordinator Jacqueline Crawford said. “The only way we can prevent things is if we’re aware of what the problems are, what the red flags are and how to ensure our safety is protected.”

   According to a 2015 survey by the Association of American Universities, 23 percent of female college students said they experienced a form of unwanted sexual contact. However, a 2014 survey by the Department of Justice noted that 80 percent of rape incidents went unreported to the police. 

   Crawford hopes the documentary will let students who are caught in such circumstances know what their rights are.

   “If we’re unfortunately a victim of sexual assault, we should know what we can do about it and how we can get college campuses to provide support,” she said. 

   Crawford said she was very moved by Pino and Clark’s campaign to end sexual assaults on campus.

   “It’s very moving to see how these two young women banded together to start a movement going from campus to campus,” she said. “Of course, the Internet helps. They can put their information out there, and people respond.” 

   Although the cases of sexual assault against women are greater in number and thus get the most attention, Crawford says the problem extends to men as well. 

   “This is not a problem just for women,” she said. “Men are assaulted also, and there are men talking in the film as well.”

   Crawford says the event will address potential victims and how they can prevent such incidents and discuss the culture of college campuses that might influence young males to act a certain way. 

   At the screening, AAUW will talk about its goals and introduce the film, SafeQuest Solano will have a presentation on its prevention programs, and a question-and-answer session will follow the film.

   “I’m certainly hoping they have a better understanding of what the issues are, what the red flags are and therefore be able to identify the dangerous situations for themselves and to avoid them,” Crawford said. “If they are unfortunate enough to have experienced sexual assault, they should know they have every right to report it and obtain support services. Education is what we’re all about, and education is power.”

   “The Hunting Ground” will be screened at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 21 at Farragut Inn, located at 1310 Club Drive on the Touro University Campus on Mare Island. For more information on AAUW, visit beniciavallejo-ca.aauw.net.