Introducing a Podcast Series on the Intersection of Youth, Masculinity and Race
Breaking the Boy Code season four recording session
Breaking the Boy Code was born out of a 15,000 kilometre bicycle expedition and photojournalism project in which I charted unheard stories across the Canadian landscape. Over five and a half months on the road, I listened to a lot of podcasts.
I found that while many people were talking about boys, it seemed like no one was talking with boys—so I asked Next Gen Men for a microgrant towards a podcasting microphone and set out to centre their voices in the growing cultural conversation on masculinity.
Three podcast seasons later, I and my past colleague, Adrian, set out to create a project specifically focused on the perspectives and experiences of boys of colour.
We fought an uphill battle throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, working through school closures and scheduling delays, masks and social distancing, and multiple laptops and microphones. I ended up with a pile of various pieces of audio footage, and no clear idea what to do next.
Yet through it all, we were privileged to connect with five exceptional middle school boys: Siddiq, Betsa, Aksayan, Yoel and Kamari. Even two years later, I owed it to them to finish this project.
The premise of Breaking the Boy Code has always been that boys’ voices are worth listening to—even when it’s not easy or convenient. Their lives and their stories matter. These boys matter.
So without further ado, I’m honoured to introduce the voices of season four.
Siddig, a soft-spoken seventh grader who was always thoughtful with his answers.
Betsa, a confident seventh grader who has his eyes set on the NBA.
Aksyan, who was proud to include Sri Lankan representation on our school mural.
Kamari, who demonstrated the beautiful complexity of eighth grade.
And finally Yoel, an eighth grader who loved to tell jokes and rile up his friends.
Over the course of eight episodes, we explore topics like the codes of loyalty that weave boys like them together, the experiences of racial profiling that frustrate them on the streets of Toronto, and the role models that inspire them as they grow up. We talk about stereotypes and Spider-Man, mental health and Nike kicks. We fly paper airplanes and write poetry and paint a mural on their school wall.
Listen: Visit breakingtheboycode.com/listen to subscribe to Breaking the Boy Code wherever you get podcasts.
It wasn’t perfect—and despite the steadfast efforts of the NGM Podcast Network to fix up my audio footage, the podcast episodes aren’t perfect either.
As with most things, however, that’s sort of the point. When I listen to the voices of those boys sharing their thoughts and feelings, I know it was worthwhile.
I invite you to listen as well.