The Masks Behind These Masks

Summary

The text reflects on the metaphorical masks people wear to protect themselves emotionally, which are now being physically represented and compounded by the mandatory wearing of protective masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

The poem "The Masks Behind These Masks" by Jonathan Greene delves into the concept of masks as a symbol of the emotional barriers individuals erect to shield themselves from vulnerability. It suggests that the physical masks worn for viral protection during the pandemic are a tangible manifestation of the psychological masks people have always worn. These masks represent defense mechanisms such as hyper-masculinity, overconfidence, and white fragility. The author posits that while the physical masks serve to protect public health, the deeper, emotional masks may lead to a loss of self-identity. The poem emphasizes the irony that while masks are meant to protect, some view them as an affront, revealing underlying insecurities and a resistance to acknowledge the collective responsibility in safeguarding public health.

Opinions

The author believes that the physical masks worn during the pandemic highlight the pre-existing emotional masks that people use to hide their true feelings and insecurities.
There is a critique of societal norms such as hyper-masculinity and white fragility, which the author sees as detrimental masks that people hide behind.
The poem expresses a concern that the layering of physical and emotional masks may lead to a deeper internal disconnection from one's own emotions and identity.
The author implies that resistance to wearing masks, under the guise of personal freedom, is rooted in ignorance and insecurity.
The text suggests that the act of wearing a mask can be an act of compassion and collective responsibility, contrasting with those who perceive it as an aggressive imposition.

A Poem

The layers of masks we wear today is overwhelming because these paper versions and neoprene ones and all of the other side ties and double rungs are all just holding masks over our faces when in reality we’ve all been wearing masks for years They just weren’t the viral-protective kind but we have been using them as protection from ourselves and what we feel like on the inside

The masks behind these masks are those of hyper-masculinity and overconfidence and oh so much woe is me white fragility that it’s almost a benefit to us all to have to wear these masks the ones that serve and protect and block and deflect the viral load being breathed onto us by inadvertent onlookers and mask-resistant blowhards just waiting to be asked to put a small thing over their mouth and nose to protect everyone else in the general vicinity and somehow, to them, a mask is a sign of aggression

And isn’t that really the mask behind the mask? The mask of insecurity and ignorance and general distaste for others roaming the world alongside each and every one of us My stoic mask shields me from my crumpled heart An origami personification of a twice-broken soul and I can even take that heart and that soul and hide them behind the mask behind my new mask and now I can assure the world that no one will find the real me

The layers of masks we wear today is overwhelming but that has nothing to do with our COVID-19 protective masks because they are only shielding our face and protecting our health while our masks behind the masks are burying us deep within ourselves so we don’t even know what we look like anymore, on the inside

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