The paper seeks to analyse the views of Ezra Chitando on African masculinities in the context of ‘crying’, a theme in one of his writings. The aim
is to rally readers behind the notion that harmful ways of being a man, often justified on religious and cultural grounds, can be transformed. As a man, Chitando inspires other men to adopt masculinities that promote the health and wellbeing of all by calling upon them to ‘cry’ because crying is the essence of being human. A ‘crying’ man is an embodiment of all that repels violence in all its manifestations. Through a number of publications, as well as his support for the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians, Chitando demonstrates that seeking gender justice is the responsibility of both men and women. Being aware of the role of socialisation in the internalisation of social norms and values, as well as character formation, he suggests a change in the ‘social curriculum.’ Although men must and can change, this is slow to take effect because of entrenched religious and cultural beliefs and norms. However, the collective efforts of men and women will gradually lead to a paradigm shift, wherein dangerous, hegemonic masculinities give way to redeemed and redemptive masculinities. While the springboard of the discussion shall be his analysis of the book ‘When a man cries’ (by Siphiwo Mahala), his other writings and those of like-minded scholars and theologians are going to be taken on board.