Rambo began as a brutal critique of war but became a symbol of American exceptionalism and toxic masculinity. This essay exposes how Hollywood rewrote a war criminal into a hero—and what that says about our need for moral clarity and mythic manhood.

Collecting GI Joe and He-Man figures helped me reclaim a lost sense of identity, heal childhood wounds, confront masculinity, and rebuild the boy I once was — and the man I’m still becoming.

Commodifying masculinity- how dating apps reinforce norms, and shape desire in queer culture—unpacking the phrase “masc for masc” through an anthropological and critical lens.

A personal essay exploring fatherlessness, gender norms, and queer identity—unpacking what it means to be “man enough” in a world that punishes softness and fetishizes masculinity.

A powerful reflection on manual labor, identity, and meaning, Shop Class as Soulcraft explores how working with your hands can restore dignity, purpose, and connection in modern life.

How 1980s icons like He-Man and G.I. Joe shaped hypermasculine ideals for boys—and how queer kids navigated shame, fantasy, and survival under the shadow of these powerful myths.

Explore the emotional journey of choosing self-preservation over societal expectations of forgiveness in this poignant reflection on a father's death and a queer individual's fight for healing and self-worth.

Inheriting my grandfather’s Civil War chess set taught me lessons in patience, quiet masculinity, and legacy — a reminder that time, like chess, is only valued once it’s been spent.