From America to India, going out to see ‘Life of Pi’ or being at a party should not be an event in your day where risk being harassed, raped or not coming back alive. – The Elephant At the beginning of most of my talks, I tell the audience that I am an Elephant Hunter. My … Continue reading »
Jeff Perera reflects on the Newtown tragedy by sharing how violence factored into his three middle & elementary schools talks a week after a shooting in Toronto. The words ‘Hold’ and ‘Secure’ should be words of warmth that wrap around you, not words of fear that wrap around your ribcage so you can’t breath… ___ … Continue reading »
When a tragedy like the devastating shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut takes place, two things happen: 1. Everyone wants answers. 2. Few want to discuss causes. The press swarm and share details like rations to a starved public: the weapons used, the clothes the murderer wore, the guaranteed quotes from shooter’s … Continue reading »
As White Ribbon launches a movement asking men to open up and connect, Jeff Perera looks back at how Higher Unlearning was born and the reason White Ribbon started #ManHug – So Gentlemen, are you familiar with the ‘Bro-Hug’ ? – Or maybe you do ‘The Side Hug’? – You see, hugs can be awkward for some guys… … Continue reading »
Are you a sister, mother, daughter, girlfriend, lover, wife or friend trying to connect with a man who is so distant. Do you feel like you are a man stranded on an island and can’t find a way to communicate? You’re not alone. ____ “No man is an Island…” - John Donne ___ cast·a·way [ˈkɑːstəˌweɪ] … Continue reading »
Jeff Perera argues that the following video is actual footage of Tupac Shakur before he met his demise ** Many of us are familiar of this image of Tupac Shakur moments before he was fatally shot at 25 years of age. In the following excerpt, I explain how the video shown is footage of Tupac taken … Continue reading »
An excerpt from our friend Carlos Andrés Gómez’s blog Carlos Live exploring the hurricanes of emotions men conceal in their chest. “Today is a heavy day – mere hours removed from a scary shooting outside the Empire State Building and news just now coming in of another one just south of Mexico City where my sister lives. … Continue reading »
Chris Brown and his mother Joyce Hawkins on Larry King Live in 2009 where he said he’d prove to be a positive role model for his young fans. Go ahead, Tell me how he’s such a great performer and I need to drop it… Tell me how Rihanna seems to like bad boys and … Continue reading »
The waves made throughout social media when Frank Ocean came out on Independence Day were reflective of the conversations happening across North America and of folks slowly finding the voice to have these conversations. Higher Unlearning’s Jeff Perera looks back at some of the reactions via this Storify piece ___ Reaction to Frank Ocean’s post on … Continue reading »
Jeff Perera with a urgent call to action regarding choices we can make as retail consumers when it comes to messaging offensive and degrading to women as well as reducing men to act in a way that does not reflect the best of us. . Enough. (Photo Courtesy of Stephen Hargreaves/The Lance) Seriously… This … Continue reading »
Men and boys worldwide are caught in cycles and storms that leave us speaking to one another in a language of violence… let’s start something. Higher Unlearning proudly presents: ‘How To Fight’ by Carlos Andrés Gómez. Video by Dennis Lieu. . __ ___ Carlos Andrés Gómez http://www.carloslive.com Award-winning poet, actor, and writer Carlos Andrés … Continue reading »
The first in a Higher Unlearning special series ‘Father Figures’ looking at the bond and special moments between children and their fathers & father figures. Khaliyi Iloyi from London at the ripe age of 2 years old had a very special moment with London hip hop artist Alim Kamara in a freestyle session that warmed hearts … Continue reading »
___ Looking ahead to speaking at the second Slutwalk in Toronto where the worldwide movement started: Higher Unlearning and White Ribbon Campaign’s Jeff Perera looks back at the initial Walk heard ’round the world, why he agreed to speak at this year’s event, and is honoured to do so. “When a man gives his … Continue reading »
— Invited to speak at various Boys conferences, Jeff Perera shares some stories of taking the White Ribbon message on the road to speak with boys from Grade Four to Grade Eight. He also shares what happened when he spoke with hundreds of young girls on how society creates ideas of being a man and … Continue reading »
Image by Valentina Ramos Fear and Joy were having an argument In the kitchen of my heart Fear did not want to let Trust in Joy was convinced it was the right thing to do Fear wasn’t so sure Sadness pointed out how things like this tend to end up Trust waited patiently outside She … Continue reading »
I was raised in the Jane & Finch area, a storied neighborhood in the city of Toronto infamous for violence and poverty, but also home to some amazing people. I grew up alongside people of African, Caribbean, Latin, Asian and South Asian descent. For the most part, I grew up not considering myself the … Continue reading »
