Radical Softness
Radical Softness was coined as a term by poet and designer Lora Mathis in 2015. In her article in Hooligan Mag she talks about Radical Softness being a weapon for healing.
“I see unapologetic vulnerability as a way to push back against society’s shaming. Being upfront about what pains us helps us learn our hurt and allows others to know they are not alone. Plus, if our pain is out in the open, it becomes less of a terrifying, shapeless cloud and more of a thing that can be tackled, little by little, each day.”
I have found deep resonance with this outlook and have adopted it as the motto of my ministry. I believe that most people entering the doors of a Unitarian-Universalist congregation are looking for a place where they can be softer—where they can let down their masks and expectations and be received as a closer version to their true self than most spaces in society allow.
Decentering privilege
The act of learning to let go, for people of privilege, of the societally ingrained teaching that their needs are to be centered in all situations is a key aspect of radical softening. It is an allowing of the true reality of the interconnected nature of all humanity to reshape the way we walk in the world.
Heart centered masculinity
A particular passion of my ministry is working with masculine-idenifying folks to redefine their relationship with this often fraut and broken gender identity.