In this YouTube segment, host Jack Kammer opens with a metaphor comparing a gifted baseball glove to the expectations placed on men, asking whether such expectations are gifts or burdens. He then introduces Richard Haddad, founder of the early men’s‑issues organization Free Men (established in 1977 in Columbia, Maryland) and the first interviewee on Kammer’s 1983 radio show. Haddad performs his song “Breaking Free,” which he wrote with his brother Bob. The lyrics critique traditional male roles—provider, war‑fighter, career climber—and the societal “privilege” that masks these obligations. Throughout the song, Haddad expresses frustration with gendered expectations, a desire to reclaim personal agency, and a call to redefine masculinity beyond economic and militaristic functions. The segment frames the song as a clear illustration of the enduring questions that motivate men’s‑rights activism.
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Hi, Coach Kammer here. If someone gives you a brand new, top-of-the-line baseball glove because they want you to play baseball, but you don't really want to play baseball, you'd rather spend your time and effort playing basketball instead, is that glove a gift or a burden? An advantage or an obligation? Good question, right? We'll be right back to take a look at how that applies to men's issues. Richard Haddad founded Free Men, one of the very first men's issues organizations, in Columbia, Maryland in 1977. He was the first person I interviewed on the radio show I started in 1983. This song will give you a pretty clear idea of what prompted his activism. Maybe now, all these years later, men like you and me are still thinking the same things. Here is "Breaking Free," lyrics by Richard Ad, music by his brother Bob.
Never guessed I'd wind up playing family clown instead of king. Work by day, the office treadmill. Race back home before the night. Ever helpful, solving problems. Making money, doing right. Women call this self-fulfillment. Precious gift reserved for men. Sounds a lot to me like newspeak. Turns a rock into a glen. Breaks the light, it shines on me. Melts illusions, sets me free. Lets me choose who I will be. I'm coming home, becoming me. I'm coming home, becoming me. Put the spotlight on our privilege. Cast a shadow on the tax. Fill our heads with talk of glory while the burden breaks our backs. Hail the durable providers, charged expendable in war. Rushing nobly to our coffins, nuke secure. Family lore. You can have my male advantage, haha. Take the opposite obligations too. Back to pressure and harassment, they came with the lot I drew. Not a woman wants the bundle, cuts her life expectancy. Makes you wonder where Miss Steinem studied sociology. Race the light, it shines on me. Makes me angry, sets me Let me choose who I will be. I'm coming home becoming me. I'm coming home becoming me. Yeah. Plan to change my occupation. I could care less what it pays. Had enough career advancement filled with unfulfilling days. Changing lifestyle doesn't scare me. Bet the children will approve. Wife may have some apprehensions, but I've got Make my move. Aim to spend some time relaxing. Sick of being on the run. Cultivate a few new friendships. Loosen up and have some fun. Put society on notice. Let it find another fool. I will dare to smell the flowers. I'm no economic tool. Breaks the light, it shines on me. Gives me hope, sets me free. Lets me choose who I will be. I'm coming home, becoming me. I'm coming home, becoming me. Breaks the light, it shines on me. And it sets me free. Lets me choose who I will be. I'm coming home, becoming me. I'm coming home, becoming me. I'm coming home, becoming me. I'm coming home.
