Actor Terry Crews said that masculinity can be a "cult" at the ninth annual Women in the World summit on last week, according to AV News.
Crews has emerged as a pivotal male leader in the #Metoo movement, and has boldly spoken out about women's rights.
Last fall, Crews shared his story about being sexually assaulted by a Hollywood executive that has changed the trajectory of his life and career.
Despite any push-back he has received, Crews continues to be a voice about the problem with hyper masculinity. During his speech he said: "masculinity can be a cult, and when I say cult, it’s no different than David Koresh, it’s no different than Jim Jones.”
He even compared masculinity to slavery. He said masters cared less about the emotions and wellbeing of their slaves similar to how some men treat women today.
Crews said: “You can see as a woman, they talk, but a guy is not looking at you as even all the way human. And this is what you have to understand, there is a humanity issue here. You’re like, ‘Why don’t you hear me? Why don’t you see my feelings?’ And they’re like, ‘But you’re not all the way human. You’re here for me. You’re here for my deal.’ And this is real."
He also talked about his own short falls, and admitted to being a part of the "cult" at one point in his life.
“I believed simply because I am a man, that I was more valuable than my wife and than the other women in my life.”
Watch his speech below.
