What does it mean to be an Asian man in North America? In this timely and insightful book, Ryan Cho unpacks ideas about masculinity and Asian men in a world of stereotypes and social expectations.
Drawing from his own experiences and interviews with other Asian men and nonbinary people, Cho explores how culture, sexuality and race combine to influence identity. Along the way, he meets people redefining what masculinity means to them and discusses what we can do to steward a version of masculinity that is inclusive, progressive and authentic.
Candid, challenging and personal, Brotherhood is a Constant Possibility is part memoir, part research and social analysis, inviting readers to question the roles Asian men have been allowed to play and to imagine broader and more nuanced ways of thinking about masculinity and men.
“Beautiful and eye-opening. Cho seamlessly breaks down misconceptions of masculinity and race. A must read for anyone, regardless of gender.”—Laura Gao, author-illustrator of Messy Roots
“Brotherhood is a Constant Possibility is truly remarkable. Ryan Cho’s vulnerability, insight and exploration of what it means to be an Asian man in the Western world has made me feel seen and understood in a way I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced from any form of media before. After reading this book, I’ve found a deeper connection to my own Asianness and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to strengthen their own sense of identity.”—Will Jay, musician
“At its heart, this book is a memoir about being Chinese Canadian and about how racism and white supremacy shape the social construction and lived experiences of masculinity. It is also a book about belonging and becoming. Replete with stories about family, work, sex, and activism as well as insightful and thoughtful commentary on wide-ranging themes from consent to representation and popular culture, Ryan Cho helps us to understand ourselves, each other, and the world we have inherited. Rather than a narrative of despair, the book shows that social change is not only possible—it is already in the making.”—Georgia Sitara, PhD, History and Gender Studies, University of Victoria
“In a culture awash in strident polarity about gender, here is a rare offering of a nuanced balance of compassion and critical thinking about men, while also caring for all genders. Cho’s grounded and provocative weaving of courageous personal narrative, cultural markers and research data build a compelling call for a healthy, progressive vision of masculinity. About men and for everyone, this centering of the experiences of Asian men and masculine folx is a badly needed addition to the masculinity bookshelf.”—David Hatfield, Dip. PW, MA, MEd, men’s work leader and conflict facilitator
“Brotherhood is a Constant Possibility is a deep and moving exploration of Asian masculinity and identity, and an unflinching examination of the invisible challenges many Asian men face in silence and isolation. The stories bring to light a discovery of love, healing, and self-acceptance that navigates towards a true belonging—a returning home to a self that we can be deeply proud of.”—John Wang, author of Big Asian Energy
“A crucial contribution to discussions on masculinity. No matter where you see yourself on the political spectrum, you will find something thought-provoking and worthwhile in this book.”—Nora Samaran, author of Turn This World Inside Out: The Emergence of Nurturance Culture
“This book arrives at a poignant time, when civil liberties, discourse on racial equity, and queer and gender identity are under attack. Cho offers a thoughtful, heartfelt vision of hope and possibility for spaces to cultivate healthy masculinity, and for racialized men to explore and navigate their identities in a world that continues to be structured by patriarchy and white privilege. Weaving together lived experience alongside complex nuanced stories of gender, race, sexuality, ability, diaspora, and class, Brotherhood is a Constant Possibility not only offers strategies towards community building, but also lifts up untold voices, narratives and visions for more just futures.”—David Ng 伍達宏, co-artistic director, Love Intersections
“The way Cho explores Asian masculinity contributes to a vital conversation around gender that is rooted in discernment. As a progressive woman, I appreciate Cho’s artful navigation around the nuances of what it means to be a man—which is not to take away what feminists have worked so hard for, but to understand that it is possible to have a separate conversation around Asian masculinity that is not dependent on nor detracts from feminism. Cho creates a space to discuss how masculinity should never be defined as simply the absence of misogyny, but a process that deserves its own necessary identity development.”—Joan Sung, author of Kinda Korean: Stories from an American Life
“Through the personal, Ryan Cho is able to untangle the complicated and often unspoken connections between race, gender and masculinity. There is a real tenderness to his approach to these difficult conversations that allows the reader to be invited into the discussions, giving space for reflection. Through empathy and care, Ryan becomes a storyteller so that the research, data, and analysis of the cultural landscapes he’s writing in get to shine. This is a very accessible book.”—Anna Sulan Masing, author of Chinese and Any Other Asian
“Through sharing his personal journey, Cho considers a form of brotherhood I’ve seldom seen—one that manages to decentralize colonialist, heteronormative, cisnormative masculinity—while providing thoughtful and actionable routes to more inclusive men’s communities. Brotherhood is a Constant Possibility screams for compassion, vulnerability, and camaraderie among men of all walks.”—Mx. Nillin Lore, author of Carry On: Unpacking Your Internalized Transphobic and Queerphobic Baggage
“Too often, conversations about men fall into two positions. Men are either framed as the problem, or their struggles are dismissed because of their perceived privilege. Cho does not settle for either. He shows how loneliness, shame and the lack of emotional language are not just personal issues. They are shaped by broader conditions. This does not remove responsibility, but it does change how we understand the problem.”—from the foreword by Rahim Thawer, MSW, RSW, author of The Mental Health Guide for Cis and Trans Queer Guys
