No Need To Pretend: Black Men Talk
Black Men Talk Foundation and Melkweg Expo present an evening of conversations and performances exploring what it means to grow up as a young (Black) man. What is expected of you, and who gets to decide? Together, we will discuss toxic masculinity, the pressure to appear strong, and what happens when you allow yourself to let go of that role.
“Never let them see you sweat.” From an early age, boys are often taught to keep their feelings to themselves, to value success and status above all else, and to see vulnerability as weakness. Online, these ideas are amplified even further. In the manosphere, young men are presented with a version of masculinity centred on control, dominance, and little respect for women. But what impact does that have? How do you deal with insecurity, stress, or sadness when you feel you are not allowed to show it? And what does masculinity look like when you define it on your own terms?
Throughout the evening, artists, role models, and people with lived experience will share their stories. They will speak about the expectations they faced and the places where they found room to be honest, in their work, their art, and their lives. This is not a lecture, but an open conversation where asking questions matters more than having the right answers.
