The Triggered Project presents Boys 2 Men Monologues. Come hear the work of black and brown young men form the Cambridge-based Boys 2 Men mentoring program read by professional actors. Self-care for black and brown communities is a political act. Self-care is the first step that can affect social change. Men and boys in these communities thrive when they have various means of expressing their inner emotions. Through art, young black and brown men can discover multiple ways to gain a better understanding of their inner selves and can process emotion. In this way, art provides recovery and healing.
The Boys 2 Men Monologues project uses art to guide young men in writing a personal monologue including their thoughts about manhood, mental health, being black and brown during the Black Lives Matter movement and being resilient. Written and performance aspects are complemented by a visual arts component as each participant selects a resonating line or sentiment from their monologue and writes it on a pair of sneakers and a personal protective mask. Sneakers and masks carry a significance different from items like t-shirts and writing on them deepens the transformational power of the workshop. This program guides young men from metaphorically wearing their emotions "on their sleeve" to concretely and visibly wearing their own words on their shoes and masks. This action provides them with a way to externalize emotions versus internalizing emotions that are a result of the social context.
The curriculum includes reflection-based activities to help participants navigate and define their manhood. The modules build from self-reflection and personal awareness to the creation and performance of a monologue celebrating their resilience and ability to thrive as Black and Brown men. The monologue is developed from writing and meditation activities incorporated into each module. The mediation component is essential to help with the anxiety black and brown communities deal with every day allowing participants to gather themselves open their hearts and be vulnerable enough to speak their truth.
Presenting Organization: Central Square BID in partnership with The Triggered Project