Movember: “Never done talking of Man, yet murder men everywhere” Frantz Fanon
“Most men are not fully alive”. Stephen Biddulph, Manhood.
In support of Movember, remembering and honouring our grandfathers, fathers, partners, brothers and friends who might face a health crisis or died too young I suggest in my latest article some helpful resources for men (and those who identify as he/him) and especially recommend the work of Franz Fanon.
“Listen: ‘Let us waste no time in sterile litanies and nauseating mimicry. Leave this Europe where they are never done talking of Man, yet murder men everywhere they find them, at the corner of every one of their own streets, in all the corners of the globe. For centuries they have stifled almost the whole of humanity in the name of a so-called spiritual experience.’ The tone is new. Who dares to speak thus? It is an African, a man from the Third World, an ex-‘native’.“
Jean Paul Satre, Preface to ” The Wretched of The Earth by Franz Fanon
Franz was born in Martinique but considered himself Algerian. He wrote the “Wretched of the Earth”, prefaced by Jean Paul Sartre.
I think of him as I embark on my doctoral research as Franz’s thesis (“Essay on the Disalienation of the Black”) was originally rejected by his university in the 60ies as he exposed racism and colonialism and their impact on mental health. In his work as a psychiatrist in North Africa, Franz recognised that the distress people experienced was real. He however saw how other forces such as oppression, racism and colonialism could interact and impact on an individual’s wellbeing.
“Sometimes people hold a core belief that is very strong. When they are
presented with evidence that works against that belief, the new
evidence cannot be accepted. It would create a feeling that is
extremely uncomfortable, called cognitive dissonance. And because it
is so important to protect the core belief, they will rationalize,
ignore and even deny anything that doesn’t fit in with the core belief.”
Frantz Fanon, Black Skin, White Masks
We know that in the UK and around the globe men are dying too young. Movember states that “we can’t afford to stay silent”. Yet illnesses do not develop in a vacuum. We rarely read of the intersecting impact of colonialism & politics, capitalism, violence ( in thought also), poverty, racism, heteronormativity, to name a few of the oppressive forces which impact men and their health.
Read and Access Resources below so that “we waste no time in sterile litanies and nauseating mimicry, […]where they are never done talking of Man, yet murder men everywhere they find them, at the corner of every one of their own streets, in all the corners of the globe.” Franz Fanon.
*******I offer two sessions for the price of one for men (those who identify as he/him) until 31 December 2020. (offer valid in line with terms and conditions apply and whilst availability lasts.) *******
SOME RESOURCES FOR MEN
BOOKS
A Degruy, J. (2017) Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing.Joy Degruy Publications Inc.
Akbar, N. (1992) Visions for Black Men. Mind Productions & Associates.
Biddulph, S. (2015) Manhood: Revised & Updated 2015 Edition
Fanon, F. (2001) The Wretched of the Earth. Penguin Classics; New Ed edition (6 Dec. 2001).
Fanon, F. (2007) Black Skin, White Masks.Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press; Revised edition.
Said, E.W. (2003) Orientalism. Penguin Books; 25th Anniversary Ed with 1995 Afterword Ed edition.
PSYCHOTHERAPY
APA Association of Black Psychologists: click here
BAATN The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network here
Victor Granville, London Based coach, author, relationships and inner child work expert, accredited in Inner Bonding: click for Linkedin profile here, and website here.
UK Counselling Directory: click here
Your Alchemists Blog Articles
British Egyptian Film-maker on the revolution, change and mental health:click here
French Man on Mental Health: click here
Fatherhood. Added Dimensions Child and Father Bring to Each Other: click here
Men After Me Too: click here
SOME OF THE MANY HELPLINES:
- Black Minds Matter UK click here
- Chinese Mental Health Association: click here
- Movember: click here
- England: NHS – 111: click here
- Shout Crisis: click here
- The Samaritans: click here
- Mind: click here
- Mind Young Black Men: click here
- Refuge (domestic abuse helpline): click here
- Respect (male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them): click here
- Rethink Mental Illness: click here
Runaway Helpline (race discrimination): click here - Sharing Voices Bradford (support for individuals from black and ethnic minority communities dealing with mental distress): click here
- Young Minds (support for young people): click here
Connect with Irena here if you’re interested in the various ways in which Your Alchemists can support you.