Brian Broome, a poet and screenwriter, shares his captivating journey of healing and recovery. He reflects on the societal pressures of masculinity and how they shaped his upbringing. Brian discusses the transformative power of writing, which became his therapeutic tool during rehab. He opens up about his struggles with addiction and the importance of sobriety in his life. The conversation dives deep into family dynamics, generational trauma, and ultimately redefines masculinity, advocating for self-acceptance and emotional awareness.
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Ballet Dream
Brian Broome loved ballet but societal pressures about masculinity stopped him.
He turned away from a ballet class, afraid of not conforming to expectations.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Dolls and Discipline
As a child, Brian Broome was punished by his father for playing with dolls.
Each strike silenced his rising sobs, internalizing shame and reinforcing masculine expectations.
insights INSIGHT
The 'Can'ts' of Masculinity
Masculinity seems defined more by what men can't do than what they can do.
Suppressing emotions leads to unhealthy outlets, like violence or cruelty.
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Brian Broome's memoir 'Punch Me Up to the Gods' is a poignant exploration of his life as a queer Black man in Ohio. The book delves into his experiences with identity, masculinity, and addiction, using Gwendolyn Brooks' poem 'We Real Cool' as a structural framework. It offers a powerful critique of societal stereotypes and systems that impact Black and queer individuals.
Brian Broome is a poet, screenwriter, and instructor in the Writing Program at the University of Pittsburgh. He has been a finalist in The Moth storytelling competition and won the grand prize in Carnegie Mellon University’s Martin Luther King’s Writing Awards.
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In This Interview, Brian Broom and I Discuss his Journey to Healing, Recovery, and …
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