It is a mistake to think that New Alternative Masculinities (NAM)—understood as ways of being a man that offer a real alternative to dominant or oppressive masculinities—are exclusive to white, middle-class men. This idea is not only reductive, but also deeply unjust. It is unjust, on the one hand, because it ignores the many transformations and stances that have historically existed among men from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. On the other hand, it suggests that the ability to have loving and egalitarian relationships that reject violence is something determined by social class or skin color, which it is not.
In poor or racialized communities, there are also powerful examples of men who build meaningful, non-violent relationships. For instance, during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, figures like Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968) promoted a non-violent masculinity rooted in ethical resistance, empathy, and justice. Another such figure was Bayard Rustin (1912–1987), who was openly gay and advocated for the rights of gays and lesbians throughout his career. Though less well known, he was the one who advised Martin Luther King on non-violent resistance techniques. Both were African American men who didn’t just speak out against violence—they actively promoted non-violence in their actions. They did not use their leadership roles to abuse or dominate others, but instead stood in solidarity with women.
Along these lines, we can also find NAM figures in more humble sectors, such as Salvadoran Óscar Arnulfo Romero (1917–1980). As a Catholic priest who became the Archbishop of San Salvador, he courageously denounced human rights violations committed by the state, especially those targeting the poor and rural communities. He stood in solidarity with the victims of political violence. His legacy has inspired the vocation of many religious women in Latin America, as he exemplified a deep commitment to non-violence and to the most disadvantaged.
This article has highlighted several figures who may be relatively well-known or socially recognized. However, the purpose here is also to show how NAM are present in our everyday lives and in many corners of society. In other words, they do not belong to any one social class or skin color. They aren’t born only in universities or educational workshops; they also arise in humble homes, in grassroots movements, and in the small daily decisions of those who choose to love, to care, and to reject violence rather than to inflict it.
Editor of Daily 27.
Predoctoral researcher at the Department of Sociology in University of Barcelona.