Talk of the Towns 11/10/17

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Engineer: Amy Browne

Community concerns and opportunities
Man to Man: a conversation about confronting sexist attitudes and behavior

Key Discussion Points:
How has the recent publicity about sexual assault and harassment and the corresponding expressions of #Me Too affected you?
What is the mission and program of Male Athletes Against Violence? What is the conversation about sexist attitudes and behavior like at UMaine?
What is the mission and programs of The Next Step Domestic Violence Program? Are there some myths about domestic violence that we should consider?
How does the role as a pastor come into play around these issues – counselor, minister—both within your congregation and in the larger community?
As we look at the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), there are, perhaps, more than a few mixed messages about men in relation to women. How do we sort those out?
Are there any suggestions about a code of conduct that would address how men should think and act in today’s world? Does the Golden Rule come close to such a code?
How do we men confront support for sexist behavior (along with racism and other ism’s) espoused by national leaders?

Guests:
Rob Benson, Pastor, Bar Harbor Congregational Church
Lewis Redding, Volunteer, The Next Step Domestic Violence Program
Mitchell Fossier, Male Athletes Against Violence, University of Maine