Pacific Islander Men

Summer of 2024

In July 2024, Moving Rasa facilitated two impactful workshops for Pacific Islander men and young men, focusing on masculinity and vulnerability. In the men’s workshop, we explored the metaphor of the "Man Box"—the societal expectations that force men into rigid definitions of masculinity. Participants reflected on the pressures of colonization and cultural conditioning that keep them confined to this box, leading to feelings of suffering and disconnection. A creative movement exercise invited them to “play” both inside and outside the box, exploring the potential for liberation.

After a break, we moved into vulnerability, discussing emotional expression and relationships, with a special focus on sexual violence. Participants courageously navigated these conversations, reflecting on their own fight, flight, or freeze responses that have kept them stuck in rigid roles. One participant shared, “The box isn't real, but it still defines us,” acknowledging the internal conflict many men face.

In the young men’s workshop, participants engaged in role-play, exploring power dynamics and vulnerability through physical play. This led to deep insights on how early cultural conditioning has shaped their understanding of strength and power. One participant reflected, "I didn’t realize how much this stuff was affecting me until we started talking about it." These workshops offered Pacific Islander men a safe space to explore masculinity, vulnerability, and community.