For the past 13 years I have had the privilege of teaching some outstanding young men and women. I have taught them the wonders of the world around them, from the cellular processes to the creation of a human child, from simple motion vectors to the complex chemical reactions that make life possible. In church I have been teaching you about the ways of God, of Christ, and how to become a righteous child of God. In addition to the curriculum of the given subject, it has also been my goal to teach you how to be a good person, to be resilient in life's challenges, to laugh and love with enthusiasm, to value life and support each other and those around you when life becomes difficult. Please know that while many of your names may fade from my immediate recollection over time (I've literally had over a thousand of you sit in my room), when I see your familiar faces it brings me great joy to know how you are doing and what adventure you are on. Many of you have connected with me on a personal level that has brought me much strength. I have stood by some of you as you have faced great struggles and challenges, and unbeknownst to many of you, I have received strength in facing my own challenges. A few of you have said that you see me as a father figure. That means a lot to me.
So let me be a bit of a father figure right now, especially to young men that have sat in my classroom. This is a life lesson that you need to hear right now. It came to my attention yesterday that there is a group of men on the internet that refer to themselves as "The Return of Kings". I suspect you may already know who these guys are and what they represent. If you don't, please allow me to enlighten you. They are disgusting misogynistic men who have an insane notion that rape in the privacy of one's home should be legal. They have a misguided image of what a real man is. It is an image of male superiority that didn't belong in the Dark Ages, let alone the 21st Century. They have a perverted view of what a "real man" should be. To think that such a group exists today is saddening. I was especially alarmed to learn that the founder of this group is planning public meetings across North America, especially in Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Victoria, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Surrey, Windsor, and here in Calgary.
Now, to the young men who sat in a desk in my classroom. You may or may not have enjoyed your time in my class, you may or may not remember anything I ever said or taught, but I hope you remember what I am about to say. Any "man" who associates with this group associates not with men but with cowards. These are not men. They are more akin to cockroaches who swarm in the cover of darkness, only to scurry for the shadows when the light of truth and good is shone upon them. I am shining a light on them now. I know I should show love to all my fellow human beings, but this group is making it difficult for me. Do you know who has been my biggest sources of strength in my life? My mother. My father. My big sister. My wife. My stepmother. My two daughters. My two sons. Nine people in that list, and RoK would argue that two thirds of them are beneath me, that they are less than me, that I should "dominate" them simply because I was born with a Y chromosome and they were not. What utter trash. They would take the souls of these saintly women in my life and demean them. I then look at all of my students, past and present. These are my "kids". I love and pray for my kids daily. This vile group would say that one half of my kids should be able to rape the other half whenever they want. To think that a woman or girl is little more than property or a pet is sickening. To the young men, so many of which have shown me that you get this point I'm making, I ask you to not just stay away from associating with this group, but actively counteract it's putrid message. Treat the women in your life with respect, dignity, care, and compassion. Do not demand that the women in your life bow to your every want and whim. When you see a "man" berate a woman, abuse a woman, or disrespect a woman, I want you stand beside that woman and be there for her. Don't do this because only a man can save a woman, because that is not true. Don't do it because it is our "job" to protect women, because it's not and they are capable of protecting themselves. Do it because it is the right thing to do. You don't have to be like a knight in shining armor riding to their rescue, just be a decent human being who will not stand for this revolting refuse.
To the young women I was teacher to, now it's your turn. Never accept less than full respect from the men in your life. If your boyfriend hits you, he is not showing love. If he tears you down in private or public, he is not showing love. If he acts in anyway that is less than a proper gentleman, be wary. I have not met a single person, woman or man, who deserves to be treated like trash by someone who supposedly loves them. Dump the jerk. You deserve better than that. If you see a friend or sister who is in such a circumstance, be there for them. Pass this message from me along to them: send that scumbag packing. I have seen too many of my kids get hurt by someone who was supposed to love them. These guys think that they are entitled to that which is most precious to you: your virtue. If the man in your life subscribes to the opinions of this group, he needs to be out of your life immediately if not sooner. If that man is your boyfriend, break up with him now. If a man asks you out and he starts to expect that which he is not entitled to from you, tell him "It's not me, it's you" and get rid of him.
My former students, my "kids", I beg of you, avoid this group of so-called returned Kings like you would a plague. Stand up to their disgusting ideals. You will find that these pigs (oops, my apologies to members of the porcine species) may be Kings, but their kingdom is a garbage heap and a mess located in the bowels of disgrace and inhumanity. You are above this. I am calling on you. I encourage you to tolerate diverse ideas and opinions and beliefs. This time, I am saying to not tolerate this one. There is no good in it. I love you all.
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