In Jonathan Mack’s “The Right Way to be Crippled and Naked,” the main character is announcing to his family and friends that he has fully made up his mind to live as a naked Jain monk. He later expresses his reasons in doing so and adds, more than once, that his decision is final and he cannot be convinced otherwise. Mack, a 40 year old queer, disabled man is obviously making his transition to be a Jain monk so that he can finally “let go” (Mack, 49). He describes himself in a self-deprecating way in which he only sees his disability as a setback for himself, so his new revelation to be naked for eternity is a way for him to reclaim his body and his confidence.
Mack discusses, in extreme detail, his days at the gay baths where he would sometimes be selected as a suitable sex partner. This atmosphere in itself is demeaning and only furthered Mack’s self hatred as he saw men not choosing to sleep with him as a direct correlation to his crippled leg. When men did sleep with him, it was only a casual, one-night fling causing Mack to feel just as unfilled as before the encounter. He even states that all his problems would be solved, “if only I were beautiful,” insinuating that all his misfortunes could be corrected with an idealistic “beauty standard” that he wished he could fit (Mack, 47). Jonathan is majorly lacking on self confidence and feels strongly that he needs to overcompensate for his “hairy stick leg… knotted and clawed hoof” (Mack, 44). He cannot accept the imperfections on his own body, even if it’s not centered around the leg. Mack puts himself down in other ways including the size of his penis and his facial features as well as his disability which in turn leads to a self destructive mentality that he has held onto for so long.
Mack’s sudden urge to live naked is encouraging in that he is finally accepting himself, imperfections and all. Although, Mack does reveal that he has been naked more than the average human, but only to have loads of sex for the possibility of one day feeling accepted. He proclaims that he would, “like to learn how to let go for real,” during his sexual encounters displaying his want to appreciate himself and his body (Mack, 49). He does add that , “I always adore other crippled men,” showing that he doesn’t judge others who are disabled or imperfect (Mack, 48). Unfortunately, Jonathan tends to be his own toughest critic as he cannot admire himself the way he can others and their bodies. His claim to be seen naked, whether he is accepted or arrested for doing so, in a way gives Mack his power back. He hopes to be seen as a man who “doesn’t move like a naked man,” meaning that Mack will naturally be able to move about even if every inch of his body is seen and fully on display (Mack, 43). With this new realization, he cannot hide behind his clothes or even himself, and that mentality in and of itself, is so freeing.
I pledged. (Kyelin Thrift)
Word Count: 528
