Emory University created its first MSP production in April 2015!
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
What, if anything, do you feel you gained or learned from the presentation?
“I just loved the varied experiences. It made me uncomfortable, but it was worth it. Thank you.”
“That it is okay, and in fact important, to have emotion.”
“I learned about the power of being vulnerable and how important sharing our stories is to building empathy and support for the men and women in our lives.”
“Gre
ater understanding of the multitude of ways societal expectations of masculinity are damaging & harmful for both genders.”
“I gained a sense of re-affirmation from hearing the stories of these men. Their truths reminded me of my humanity in all of its nuances, and I really enjoyed the production.”
“Seeing people openly & generously speak their truth was good for my mental health. 🙂 We are each others’ best resources!”
“An appreciation for definitions of “masculinity” that may contradict those that I held, and an awareness of the social influences that have led to those views.”
“I am also learning to critique society’s standards and beliefs. Love everyone 
unconditionally. The presentation just continued to open my eyes to become a better human being.”
“I appreciated the vulnerability the presenters showed the audience. The act of sharing alone is an inspiration and a challenge to masculinity and the values of stoicism that society imposes on all of us.”
“I’m glad I was able to hear these diverse perspectives that are so often silenced, ignored, or believed not to exist. Hearing more perspectives allows us to learn from each other. I was glad to see diversity among these men in terms of class, race, sexuality and military experience.”
STORIES & PRESENTER BIOS:
1. Plastic Masc. – Marcus Jenkins
Marcus is a senior at Emory College majoring in international studies. From Madison, Georgia, he dreams of “transforming social inequalities and promoting justice.” Marcus hopes to begin his career with the Navy after graduation, after which he may pursue a PhD.
2. How to Love – Matthew McCurdy
Matthew is a first-year Master of Public Health candidate at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory. A Snellville native, Matthew is passionate about community health work and “hopes to create some form of sustainable positive change wherever life takes [him].”
3. Transformations & Astral Warfare – Jareikus Agnew
Jareikus is an alumnus of the undergraduate business program at Goizueta School of Business at Emory. Originally from Anderson, South Carolina, he works as a marketing project and event manager, but his “true passion is helping others reach their full potential.”
4. Blood Stripes – Aaron Graham
Aaron is a native of Glenrock, Wyoming who served with Marine Corps Intelligence as an Arabic linguist in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. He is a doctoral candidate in Emory’s English department.
5. Menace to Society – Fahamu Pecou
Fahamu is a doctoral candidate in Emory’s interdisciplinary Institute of the Liberal Arts. Originally from Hartsville, South Carolina, Fahamu is a visual artist whose work explores contemporary representations of Black masculinity.
**Funding for the Emory Men’s Story Project 2015 was provided by the Rollins School of Public Health, Rollins Student Government Association, Graduate Student Government Association, Emory Residence Halls Association, and Center for Women at Emory. Support was provided by the Emory Office of Health Promotion Respect Program, and the Emory Reproductive Health Association acted as the event’s sponsor and fiduciary.**