[News] Ravens Attend Powerful Film Screening On Masculinity

[BR News]

The rookie class attended a local screening of the film, “The Mask You Live In.”

View the full article

[eek]

they should make all rookies watch "espn films 30 for 30: Broke"

[salamander]

Ok...so maybe some of this domestic violence awareness push by the NFL is motivated by wanting to project a socially aware and politically correct image. Even if that is the case, some young men could benefit from these efforts. Maybe even make the difference for some guy between holding an impulse in check or cutting loose with rage where the consequences could be life altering for themselves or the victim. Who really knows but I have no problem with the NFL using its very masculine image and powerful influence on young men to deter domestic violence.

[Grapple Raven]

That trailer was very compelling! It certainly opens up the idea that a new dialogue is needed for defining masculinity.  It is better spelled out in the video by Joe Ehrmann from the Ted Talks Series:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVI1Xutc_Ws  Very powerful!!!

[salamander]

That trailer was very compelling! It certainly opens up the idea that a new dialogue is needed for defining masculinity.  It is better spelled out in the video by Joe Ehrmann from the Ted Talks Series:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVI1Xutc_Ws  Very powerful!!!

Good video. Gave your comment and link a (+) but computer said there was a problem storing the vote, whatever that means. NFL has the potential to reach so many young men in ways that no other media or sport can come close to. It's great to see some of these popular heroes speak up about what it really means to be a man as opposed to a stereotype or macho fool. At least the young men have a chance of listening with open ears so the NFL making a gesture to move this topic along is all fine with me. Nothing to lose by the effort.

[Grapple Raven]

Good video. Gave your comment and link a (+) but computer said there was a problem storing the vote, whatever that means. NFL has the potential to reach so many young men in ways that no other media or sport can come close to. It's great to see some of these popular heroes speak up about what it really means to be a man as opposed to a stereotype or macho fool. At least the young men have a chance of listening with open ears so the NFL making a gesture to move this topic along is all fine with me. Nothing to lose by the effort.

 

Totally agree!

[RavensFanMania]

they should make all rookies watch "espn films 30 for 30: Broke"

I agree with this.  This was a powerful episode and I like most of the 30 for 30's.  Very well done.

[salamander]

Frankly, I am a little surprised and confused about the reaction to this article. Between a couple of pretty negative comments which have been removed and the negs given to existing comments, I truly do not understand how any efforts to make even the slightest dent in domestic violence against women or attempts to mold guys to become better men can be met with hostility from any Ravens or football fan anywhere. Even from a purely self serving and preemptive disciplinary standpoint, anything that can reduce the chances of 1 of our players from being suspended is worth the effort. From a PR standpoint, the Ravens team specifically took a brutal PR hit with the Ray Rice situation which drew monumental scorn to not just Ray but to the entire Ravens organization. But beyond these valid agendas to protect both the organization and the player from serious consequences, I do not understand how making some effort to raise the awareness and expectation to become better men could possibly warrant a Ravens fan to be hostile towards the efforts of either the Ravens or the NFL. Ok, maybe some of the efforts are politically motivated in reaction to prior backlash but so what? At worst, the message will be lost on some players regardless....but others may just hear and heed the message. Domestic violence in the NFL continues to grab headlines and divert attention away from the game and the positive things so many players and teams are involved in off the field. I have no problem whatsoever that the Ravens and/or the NFL use their tremendous exposure and influence to at least try to make some headway with domestic violence and by guiding our young players to become better men, better human beings.

Edited May 30, 2015 by salamander

[harfordravenfan]

Frankly, I am a little surprised and confused about the reaction to this article. Between a couple of pretty negative comments which have been removed and the negs given to existing comments, I truly do not understand how any efforts to make even the slightest dent in domestic violence against women or attempts to mold guys to become better men can be met with hostility from any Ravens or football fan anywhere. Even from a purely self serving and preemptive disciplinary standpoint, anything that can reduce the chances of 1 of our players from being suspended is worth the effort. From a PR standpoint, the Ravens team specifically took a brutal PR hit with the Ray Rice situation which drew monumental scorn to not just Ray but to the entire Ravens organization. But beyond these valid agendas to protect both the organization and the player from serious consequences, I do not understand how making some effort to raise the awareness and expectation to become better men could possibly warrant a Ravens fan to be hostile towards the efforts of either the Ravens or the NFL. Ok, maybe some of the efforts are politically motivated in reaction to prior backlash but so what? At worst, the message will be lost on some players regardless....but others may just hear and heed the message. Domestic violence in the NFL continues to grab headlines and divert attention away from the game and the positive things so many players and teams are involved in off the field. I have no problem whatsoever that the Ravens and/or the NFL use their tremendous exposure and influence to at least try to make some headway with domestic violence and guiding our young players to become better men, better human beings.

 

well said and agreed.

[The Mom Gene]

Frankly, I am a little surprised and confused about the reaction to this article. Between a couple of pretty negative comments which have been removed and the negs given to existing comments, I truly do not understand how any efforts to make even the slightest dent in domestic violence against women or attempts to mold guys to become better men can be met with hostility from any Ravens or football fan anywhere. Even from a purely self serving and preemptive disciplinary standpoint, anything that can reduce the chances of 1 of our players from being suspended is worth the effort. From a PR standpoint, the Ravens team specifically took a brutal PR hit with the Ray Rice situation which drew monumental scorn to not just Ray but to the entire Ravens organization. But beyond these valid agendas to protect both the organization and the player from serious consequences, I do not understand how making some effort to raise the awareness and expectation to become better men could possibly warrant a Ravens fan to be hostile towards the efforts of either the Ravens or the NFL. Ok, maybe some of the efforts are politically motivated in reaction to prior backlash but so what? At worst, the message will be lost on some players regardless....but others may just hear and heed the message. Domestic violence in the NFL continues to grab headlines and divert attention away from the game and the positive things so many players and teams are involved in off the field. I have no problem whatsoever that the Ravens and/or the NFL use their tremendous exposure and influence to at least try to make some headway with domestic violence and guiding our young players to become better men, better human beings.

Salamander:  This can be nothing other than a positive thing.  Since the discussion has been opened numerous times in this league, and again of late, there is nothing that can come of this except a positive message; both for our players and our fans.  Anything else is just foolishness.

[Joey Flac]

Ok...so maybe some of this domestic violence awareness push by the NFL is motivated by wanting to project a socially aware and politically correct image. Even if that is the case, some young men could benefit from these efforts. Maybe even make the difference for some guy between holding an impulse in check or cutting loose with rage where the consequences could be life altering for themselves or the victim. Who really knows but I have no problem with the NFL using its very masculine image and powerful influence on young men to deter domestic violence.

 

that'd be a really cool campaign, showing the "toughest men in the NFL" being vulnerable and emotional... while being a man. It could be as simple as billboards. Almost like ripping off this commercial... one of my all time favs

 

 

These images would challenge people to call out others who are quick to comment negatively... 

 

There was another powerful commercial of a young man at a party sitting alone as he heard a guy pressuring a girl to drink and it has the message about being a man is seeing it and stopping it and the kid gets a real serious look and gets up off the couch and it fades to black. 

 

The trailer was powerful. People who posted those negative comments probably didn't even watch the video.. which is sad because it is meant for them! 

Edited May 30, 2015 by Joey Flac

[salamander]

Good commercial Joey....a few ads with a bit of humor may get the message across as well as the serious ads. You are probably right that the article video wasn't even watched by those who had to chime in immediately with negative comments, the tone seemed to be complaining that this article was even on the website. Any efforts to help us to be better people in this crazy, entitled and sometimes mean spirited world is Ok in my book. Man or woman, black or white, all avenues of life. The NFL has the power to reach and imprint the lives of millions. Domestic violence is a big problem in the NFL (and everywhere). I applaud the Ravens and the NFL for trying to do something positive with the negative.

Edited May 30, 2015 by salamander

[The Mom Gene]

Good commercial Joey....a few ads with a bit of humor may get the message across as well as the serious ads. You are probably right that the article video wasn't even watched by those who had to chime in immediately with negative comments, the tone seemed to be complaining that this article was even on the website. Any efforts to help us to be better people in this crazy, entitled and sometimes mean spirited world is Ok in my book. Man or woman, black or white, all avenues of life. The NFL has the power to reach and imprint the lives of millions. Domestic violence is a big problem in the NFL (and everywhere). I applaud the Ravens and the NFL for trying to do something positive with the negative.

That was indeed an adorable commercial.

[MTRavensFan]

Reminds me of the "Show your Soft Side" campaign to end animal abuse that Torrey Smith and some other Ravens were involved in.

Big, strong guys like cops, athletes and punk rockers with kittens and dogs.

Their photo gallery is awesome.

 

http://showyoursoftside.org/campaign/

[salamander]

Reminds me of the "Show your Soft Side" campaign to end animal abuse that Torrey Smith and some other Ravens were involved in.

Big, strong guys like cops, athletes and punk rockers with kittens and dogs.

Their photo gallery is awesome.

 

http://showyoursoftside.org/campaign/

Exactly MT. Those photos are great....macho dudes being loving is a powerful image....hope more athletes and other superstars recognize and use their popularity as role models to do a lot for domestic violence as well. It's not just about keeping their teammates out of trouble. There are millions of young men, kids and teenagers out there with few or no strong male role models they can look up to, living sometimes in a culture which is violent or demeaning to women. I bet there would be a lot of NFL vets, loving husbands and great dads who would gladly seize the opportunity to donate some time to use their popularity to help with domestic violence TV ads, programs for high schools or colleges etc.. Many of these vet players  grew up the hard way themselves and know full well the impact they could have. I'd love to see the NFL expand its efforts even if and when the spotlight dims on the number of player incidents .

Edited May 31, 2015 by salamander