I grew up believing that what was expected of me,
was to prove how strong and violent I could be.
But now John Wayne is no longer my hero,
and I’m going to allow my hurt and fears to show.
I’ve been afraid to admit it, when I’ve been lonely or sad,
I thought feelings were weakness, and I thought weakness was bad.
But now John Wayne is no longer my hero,
and I’m going to allow my gentleness to show.
And I‘ve degraded women seeing them only physically,
Holding up notches on my belt for all my buddies to see.
But now John Wayne is no longer my hero,
and I’m going to allow my vulnerability to show.
– Marshall Rosenberg