Obama Shares Talks on Toxic Masculinity in Pop Culture With Malia and Sasha
Former 44th president of the United States of America, Barack Obama, and legendary rock’n’roll star, Bruce Springsteen, sit down to discuss and dissect toxic masculinity in their new podcast episode “Renegades: Masculine Qualities.”
The podcast covers many controversial subjects such as race, fatherhood, and the country’s painful divisions. In their most recent episode titled “Masculine Qualities,” Obama and Springsteen exchange their thoughts on how society influences and defines what a masculine quality is and how that changes (or doesn’t) change over time. Obama takes charge of this episode and begins to relate the subject to his relationship with his two daughters, Sasha and Malia.
In a three-minute clip, Obama begins to chat with Springsteen about conversations he’s had with Sasha and Malia regarding toxic masculinity. “I talk to my daughters and their friends about boys growing up, and so much of popular culture tells them that the only clear, defining thing about being a man, being masculine, is [that] you excel in sports and sexual conquest,” he adds.
Last year, I sat down with my good friend Bruce @Springsteen for a long and meaningful conversation that touched on so much of what we’re all dealing with these days. I’m excited to share it with you over the next few weeks: https://t.co/sQACD08AWx pic.twitter.com/biMoxCLhAG
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 22, 2021
“And violence, right? Those are the three things, and violence, if it’s healthy at least, is subsumed into sports. Later, you add to that definition, making money, right? How much money can you make?” Obama realizes our culture is plagued with the idea that men are supposed to be macho and tough and sometimes expectation can make things very fuzzy.
Obama’s raw vulnerability addressing such untouched topics and how much he cares for the women in his life is truly inspiring. What a great role model for all, especially young men of color. #renegadespodcast
— abreana (@abreanaaa) March 19, 2021
In the exclusive clip, Obama states that “…There is a bunch of stuff in there that we did not reckon with.” he adds “…and now you’re seeing with Me Too, part of what we’re dealing with in terms of women still seeking equal pay, part of what we’re still dealing with in terms of domestic abuse and violence. There was never a full reckoning of…who our dads were, what they had in them, how we have to understand that and talk about that, what lessons we should learn from it. All that got buried.” In a world full of obstacles, Obama ultimately wants all to use their energy to uplift rather than tear down.
Hearing @BarackObama swear on #RenegadesPodcast gives me a particular kind of joy that I never knew I needed! 😍🙌🏻
— Zach Zalis (@ZachZalis) March 15, 2021
The full episode regarding toxic masculinity will be available to stream on Spotify on March 22.
Glitter Magazine Writer | Tweet me @gabbigabehart
