A speech by 20yo surfer Rhett Wharton at No More Excuses / Community paddle out to end gendered violence in surfing
We gather today as a movement for women’s liberation from violence, sexism and misogyny. But as much as this is a movement, it is first and foremost a men’s problem, and it is men’s inherent responsibility to dismantle it.
No more excuses mean it is time for men to fulfill this responsibility; as a collective, we need to stand in solidarity with the women in our lives.
As men, our role is not to speak for women. I do not stand here today as a voice that women cannot muster.
Our role as men is to deconstruct ourselves and the patriarchal world that exists around us. We did not choose this system, but we exist within it and benefit [from] its workings.
Before we can create any change we must own this! This goes beyond having awareness of these problems, it requires action, because awareness without action becomes complacency.
Action calls for education about the structures we are acting against. The foundations of masculinity are constructed from both the suppression of women, but also the repression of men.
Personally, I spent a long time resenting my masculinity. I felt guilty to be a man in a world that gave me such privilege, but this is misguided.
Guilt does not create change, and systems can be deconstructed, altered or completely replaced.
From theory to practise, action looks very different . First, it is important to hear women’s voices. And extend this empathy beyond our personal circles. Ask yourself; “Does injustice need to affect me, in order for me to oppose it?”
Then we must use our voices. Speak out against misogyny and sexism no matter where you see or hear it. This includes passive sexism; those who indirectly reinforce misogyny through their complacency.
And finally, organise. We must collectivise our activism and we must be ideologically aligned. There is material relevance to physical support at events such as these, and together we are always stronger.
To the men here, today is a day for reflection, on our past, more naïve selves.
It is a day for transformation, as we commit to fulfilling our responsibility of dismantling gendered violence.
But most importantly, today marks a day of hope. Hope that together, we can demand a better future with safe and equal communities for all.
Thank you.
Photo of Rhett Wharton is by Mala Norris (www.epicshotz.com)
Rhett’s speech originally shared with permission by Mandy Nolan. Thanks to Donna Carey for resharing.
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