REVIEW: Ray Arata — Showing Up (BOOK)
Ray Arata is the man. The true definition of the word, not someone acting like a man — but being a man. Someone in a professional and assured manner using personalized examples from his own life to highlight the necessity of personal and professional changes men need to make going forward — not just with respect to their jobs, but overall with respect to their lives. His new book is entitled Showing Up: How Men Can Become Effective Allies in the Workplace, and in many ways feels like an extension of his think tank Better Man Conference.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: https://www.rayarata.com/
Arata writes with a sense of compassion and humility, aware of his privilege and as he puts it in one passage — using said privilege ‘for good’. “Becoming an ally and inclusionary leader is a journey. If you are like most men, you probably want to know, ‘Where do I start? What do I do?’ Good! These are totally normal questions to ask,” he states. “I’m not going to answer them right off, because part of the process requires you to see and consider a story that illuminates what not to do. I recommend that you slow down, hold your enthusiasm to get started, and read the following section for some context.”
The idea of what not to do is a conceptual category he continues to explore within the chapter, titled Simple Steps to Take Right Now. He cites a Jimmy Carter quote, the latter being “Silence is as deadly as violence. People of power, privilege, and moral conscience must stand up and say ‘no more’…” While the concept of the powerful man has often been associated with individuality, Arata unpacks that and finds men can be as monolithically gendered as women. Indeed, the redefining of the term a few good men equates to the concept of women banding together against a corrupt authoritative structure. For abuse to occur, Arata repeatedly stresses, all it takes — again, paraphrasing a famous phrase — is ‘for (good) men to do nothing.’ As much as women banding together, a la movements like #TimesUp, the MeToo movement, and #RoseArmy, have proven effective in instituting change — such change’s solidity lies with male counterparts forming similar, advocating factions.
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Showing-Up-Become-Effective-Workplace/dp/1635769116
In many ways, there is a greater sense of urgency in Arata’s mind for men to do this because of their preordained sense of privilege. It’s on us, he writes — regardless and regarding gender — to solve a said societal crisis. “For many men, having power, privilege, and moral conscience is a given,” he writes. “…Instead of being the silent majority tainted by the actions of a few, it’s time for us men collectively and individually to stand up against inequity. If we don’t, it’s a reflection on us.” He goes on to proclaim, “Once this occurs, a company’s culture is likely compromised, making it more difficult for the nondominant groups (women and marginalized folks) to be as effective as they are capable of being. At this point, the company suffers along with those individuals.”
In essence, we’re in this together. Arata just makes the argument it’s time for us — particularly us men — to see that. Job well done.
Colin Jordan
