It’s Time to Redefine Masculinity | Nalo Zidan | TEDxLSU

Are only men masculine? Nalo Zidan is on a mission to illuminate the complexities of the term “masculinity,” highlighting the role it plays beyond a single sex or gender. Nalo weaves her experiences as a Queer, Black masculine woman through a broader discussion exploring how and when ideas of masculinity and femininity are displayed, suggesting that by reimagining definitions of these terms we can more accurately and inclusively represent what it means to be human. Nalo Zidan is a Queer Black artist, activist and writer highlighting the nuanced lived experiences of masculine-identified women and nonbinary people. The independent Black Masculinities Womanist scholar is the Founder and Creative Director of Blackgirlmasculine, a nonprofit organization and media space documenting the ideas, issues and artistic contributions of Queer, Black masculine-identified women and non-binary people. Founded in 2016, the organization serves a global audience with a mission to expand and archive non-normative masculine identities. Born in Maryland and raised between New York and Washington D.C., Nalo moved to Baton Rouge in 2014 to experience life in the Deep South. She is completing a degree in Women, Gender and Sexuality studies at LSU, with plans to pursue a PhD. Nalo has dedicated her life to starting conversations that shift how we see the world and everyone in it, while helping Queer Black women feel seen, heard and healed along the way. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@syminite1]

You can't redefine what you didn't "define" in the first place.

[@nalozidan6429]

syminite1 because it isn’t “definitive” i mention this in the beginning. masculinity doesn’t belong to anyone.

[@caramel7050]

because there's no objective definition for it.

[@topgurl9313]

You actually can. Things can be redefined by new generations. People who change the meanings of the words their parents used or the actions that their parents did. And then the previous "definition" is forgotten or even ridiculed.

[@carlogaytan7010]

U guys are incorrectly assuming this person cares, or has an honest disagreement with the speaker. Just forget it

[@s8n516]

Masculinity doesn't need to be redefined, we need more of it.

[@sucaadshardi9650]

No we don't it's toxic and abusive

[@taginefc3189]

If your masculinity is toxic we don’t need it. If your masculinity is divine, respectful & open minded.. then you shouldn’t have a problem with this TED talk.

[@justinehecht1197]

What do you mean we need more masculinity?

[@quinnhall8205]

Just not the toxic kind

[@FromFame]

Nothing like a woman telling men what true masculinity is

[@shaehubba]

Bruh didn't watch the video 😭

[@sapofish]

THANK YOU for addressing the non-binary nuances that have always existed! Here's a wrinkle: I'm a very curvy, big-bosomed masculine identified woman. "Masculinity is energetic," so true!

[@theoo9193]

Dress like your gender

[@justinc411]

Debra Soh's - The End of Gender will help you all sort through the confusing that Nalo is experiencing.

[@charlesjmudd]

😐 .. A suit doesn't make you masculine ...

[@Heavenpotato123]

> masculinity > spoken by a female bruh.

[@theoo9193]

No

[@harrisonthefox]

Wish I could talk to her about feminine men, I struggle as a trans man finding a balance that I’m comfortable with

[@jeanne2393]

exactly. And a trigger warning is required, because some of the things she says can be very dysphoric for trans men as well as trans women, and people at different positions of the gender spectrum. She should have acknowledged that reality first - that this is solely based on her identity and what she stands for. and her discourse simply does not apply to trans folk, and from a transfeminist perspective, it is a limited discourse built around a cis-normative fence. And at one point she says that masculinity is visible in women who are athletes etc - what a load of bollocks - it's not masculinity - it is the power of their womanhood. Her discourse, in this sense, is quite backward and excessively marinated in the abrahamic gender binary, in the book i have read. Solidarity and love to you, brother.

[@nalodarling]

Michael Sigler I’d love to share space to talk about this. Nuance is necessary. Also, I wasn’t able to break down the full work on masculinities because time and TED politics, but I wanted the meat out there, to meet folks at the most basic level of understanding beyond a binary. Feel free to follow me on social media @nalodarling

[@raeburt2551]

People can only speak on their experiences. She stated that her speech was coming from her experiences as a masculine woman. Also, it’s not often masculine women are given the platform to be visible or represented because of those intersecting identities. I encourage folks to listen to speeches like this, testimonies and stories with open minds, as a contribution to this expansive conversation even when it doesn’t speak directly to your experiences. And just because it doesn’t, it’s not out of lack of consideration. Hopefully there is a trans man that is given the opportunity to speak on femininity and masculinity and their experiences in their body. Because I’m very curious about that as well and think it should be heard.

[@nalozidan6429]

@@raeburt2551 thanks you for sharing feedback Family.

[@rainystone607]

Michael Sigler trans man is a concept

[@sallybaaby6165]

* *snaps* *

[@MM-fy8yx]

"Male privilege and masculine privilege are two different worlds." !!! This is so defining, wow, that feeling when you put words to something!

[@WEMARKET1]

a great lecture, i am writing on global masculinities

[@positivesoul2501]

Shedding light on spaces that are often heavily overlooked. One step closer to completely changing the view of masculinity. Thank you for finding it necessary to educate!

[@Chebab-Chebab]

Overlooked because they're not important.

[@nalozidan6429]

@@Chebab-Chebab lol

[@VeeCaso]

Wait... Are we going to ignore Biology that explains everything about life and gender and listen to a Ted talk?, so these days we can even decide our gender?

[@venomsnake64]

I'll agree with masculine and being a man could be two different things... But the rest... What in the world

[@Chebab-Chebab]

A chick in a suit. She doesn't seem masculine to me.

[@arianedavid1272]

I think you may not have understood what she was saying. How you or I see her is unimportant. What's important is how she sees and feels herself.

[@nalozidan6429]

Lock Stock I think you’re the only one that doesn’t know what masculinity is because it definitely isn’t something I need you to validate, nor are you capable of taking it from me. But that’s your own introspective work to do. Take care.

[@marquisneely5628]

Lock Stock bro Keep speaking facts.

[@coolcool2901]

😂😂

[@WEMARKET1]

I am citing in my research article .

[@YourMom-y]

Did u publish your article?? Can u link it??

[@SOCIOLOGICALIMAGINATION]

@@YourMom-y this We Market is also mine account but properly I used SRAW PAKISTAN. Sociological Research and Analysis Wing Pakistan. I share social issue. Different lectures on gender and Masculinities. And Tourism sociology is my area of interest too. Since tourism is masculine , I have cited in my study also that Tourism is a masculine.

[@SOCIOLOGICALIMAGINATION]

SRAW PAKISTAN is my official social channel

[@SOCIOLOGICALIMAGINATION]

I am in Malaysia for now to study Malaysian masculinities. Since I am lecturer at a university in Pakistan, for gender and Masculinities study. And a keen observer of Research on masculinities

[@Dan-sv3kz]

its nice to hear this, sometimes i feel like i shouldnt be existing

[@sachix6411]

I'm so happy I found this I am a masculine women I've always felt very alone.This is exactly what I needed

[@nalozidan6429]

so thankful for this support and feedback Family!

[@Ricardo-mk2et]

Why they put a women talking about Masculinity?

[@carissamcgee3793]

Did you only hear the talk and not actually listen? Everybody is afforded what it is to have, be and do masculine things, expressions, and experiences; even women.

[@rainystone607]

Carissa McGee ok so a man can talk about feminism?

[@shhshdjsbsihdjdjejs1288]

@@carissamcgee3793 no, men are masculine and women feminine

[@shamakasworld]

Amazing work!!! I really would like to engage on this and have a talk about the podcast I am releasing. This year. Anyway dope job love!!! Truly! Watching this makes my heart sing.

[@nalodarling]

Shamaka Schumake thank you so much!

[@GDKLockout]

@@nalodarling super job, lots to think about there that had never occurred to me before. Have you spoken with any mens groups about masculinity? Im part of a project of connecting older men and young offenders and ex prisoners in an effort to promote positive masculinity, a common theme among young violent men is broken homes and missing fathers. one of the biggest challenges young men face is learning to express themselves appropriately in a positive way. As antiquated as it may sound, we use concepts of honor, hierarchy and rivalry to help them use their energy positively and favor cooperation over competition. Anyway, without writing out the syllabus, if you take the idea of masculinity seriously, and this wasnt just a very cool performance piece , it might be worth looking at how men help men to be good men measured by a male standard of good, when mens behaviours become destructive.

[@TheJetlag1989]

Wow, well said

[@Prosperousheart]

Yes! Absolutely! Masculinity is energetic. Such a great talk

[@tranzofanarchiiincorporate3941]

amazing talk would love to have you on my show and at my retreat

[@WEMARKET1]

someone can talk to me if interested in masculonities , Raja from Pakistan

[@noipi6792]

Masculine woman hmm that's odd

[@Samuel-mu7vq]

What this specimen who is talking ?

[@nalozidan6429]

a cute specimen.

[@salsasroid-rippinhotsauce2371]

It's a weirdo.

[@sad-happy7043]

Well said! It's bout tym! Thank u...

[@nalozidan6429]

Appreciate your support Family! Thank you!

[@dreamstudLA]

We had this same discussion on our Mukgang🤔 things got heated

[@nalozidan6429]

I'm sure.

[@lesliemorrow3352]

Here for this, ALL of THIS!! Thank you for illuminating and dropping your knowledge!

[@nalodarling]

Leslie Morrow I appreciate your support so much Leslie! I hope to connect soon!

[@bendemare5270]

up

[@Bigram.sonsun]

That Stud chick can get it. Lol

[@sallybaaby6165]

RAMith CertifiedDamager sure she doesn’t want it. yuck.

[@Bigram.sonsun]

@@sallybaaby6165 Maybe... A lot of them Stud and Fems be sneak Dickin tho. She might be wit it. Lol

[@tiadeese]

Timely @ this very moment in my life. Thank you. 💜

[@nalodarling]

Piscean Buttafli thank you so much for this. sending love.

[@reallydoe2052]

Wow

[@mrpander9426]

Eeeewo

[@moorthanreal5627]

Together we can but it starts with self ✨ thank you for knowing who you are and sharing with the world 🌞

[@teddybruscie]

We already have a word for Masculine Women... Studs. Making a big deal about nothing.

[@lancewalker2595]

Can men still be masculine?

[@keldel4363]

Yuck.....

[@davidtheran911]

This aint it

[@rustyshackleford4557]

Care to elaborate or are your thoughts limited to memes?

[@nalodarling]

David Theran if you have questions, I’m more than happy to assist you, David. Sending love.

[@nalozidan6429]

Lock Stock just because you don’t know what femininity is doesn’t mean women don’t know what masculinity is. It only means you may want to figure it out so you’re better aware of the world and the nuance in it. Thanks for watching though.

[@marquisneely5628]

Lock Stock facts. America is trying to reverse roles.

[@rainystone607]

Marquis Neely this world is going to have more killers than the 80’s

[@letmetranslate4249]

I willl pray for her as should you