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Responding to a Radical Feminist


Aquila King

1,354 views

I just read one of the most sexist articles that I've ever seen before.

Link: https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/bj5ex8/how-to-help-gender-equality-international-womens-day

 

I don't know who this woman is, but she is clearly one of the most sexist people I've ever encountered, and given the length of the article, I figured I should respond to every one of her insanely moronic points here in this blog post. I realize this article was posted over a week ago, but I'm just now stumbling across it and I just couldn't let this slide without saying something.

Most people on here know by now that I'm unapologetically liberal and progressive. I'm a Democratic Socialist, I supported Bernie Sanders in the democratic primary, and (despite what many centrist establishment Hillary supporters might've said) I along with Bernie Sanders strongly support women's rights and oppose all forms of genuine sexism.

However this includes sexism against women and men.

There have been multiple forms of feminism throughout history, and many have even tried categorizing them into three separate 'waves'. I don't care to get into debating the definition of the term 'feminism', or saying whether or not I support or oppose 'feminism', because in my opinion, the term is widely used and rather vague. Some people who claim the title of 'feminist' appear to support genuine gender equality, whereas others appear to support female superiority under the guise of 'gender equality'. So for this post I'll simply approach this from the topic of gender equality vs. sexism in general.

 

For the majority of this post I'll be responding to her article as if addressed to her directly. First I'll respond to her opening remarks below, and then go through her list of 100 'suggestions for men' in spoilers (so as not to force anyone to scroll down forever and ever to get to the comments if they don't want to). Then finally I'll leave you readers with a few closing remarks.

And with that being said, let's begin...

 

Quote

Every year, I wake up on March 8 to a flurry of tweets from men wishing me a “Happy International Women’s Day!”

And every year, I find myself thinking: Well, thanks, but is that it? Is that all the support for gender equality that you can muster? For the entire year? It’s a nice sentiment, but at a time when the gender pay gap means that women in the UK work for free for 67 days each year, Black women in the US are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth than white women, and trans women in the US are four times more likely to be murdered than cis women, it doesn’t quite do it for me.

And right off the bat we have an absolute absurdity.

Do you really think that someone giving you a holiday greeting means that greeting you is literally all that person has done in support of whatever the holiday is supposed to represent for an entire year? Seriously? Does saying "Happy Valentines Day!" mean that you didn't do anything to show your partner you love them that year? Does saying "Merry Christmas!" mean that you didn't give any gifts to the people you care about that entire year? Of course not. You're literally taking a kind and happy greeting from men in support of your cause and spitting in their face.

If you want to argue that simply saying "Happy International Women's Day!" alone isn't enough to truly support gender equality, then you might have a good point there. You can't say you support something and then act contrary to what you said, else you be a hypocrite.

However at the same time, you don't have to be a full-time activist to genuinely be in support of something. There are plenty of things that I fully support, of which I simply lack the time, money, and resources necessary to actively promote. It's perfectly reasonable for regular working people to support something by simply voting for political candidates who support it as well. Very few people can realistically literally be out there actively doing things in support of every single cause that they support. This is why we have elected officials in congress who (are supposed to) represent us, so that we average American people don't have to keep up with absolutely every single political issue and vote for every single bill to be passed, etc. etc. We have lives, and jobs, and families. Yes, most of us have more time that would probably best be devoted to promoting some cause, however again, we can't all be activists for everything 24/7. That's just not realistically possible.

So when you receive a 'flurry of tweets from men' wishing you a happy international women's day, you should be proud that your activism has touched the hearts of so many people who are there ready to support your cause. But instead you want to criticize them for such a simple and kind gesture. Shame on you.

Quote

So, to ensure that men aren’t missing direction, a few years ago I started compiling a list of easy actions that men can take to meaningfully support gender equality. Every year, I would post it on social media. Slowly, other women started contributing suggestions. So the list grew. And grew. It will likely never stop growing.

The suggestions cover many realms of life—from home, to work, to the ways we interact with strangers, to the language we use—but it is in no way comprehensive. Below, I’ve included a mere 100 entries out of the several hundred I’ve crowdsourced and personally compiled.

To the men reading: You may already do some of these things, and others you may not be in the position to do. But a good place to start is by, at the very least, reading the list through—in its entirety. And remember: These apply all year, not just during the annual 24 hours dedicated to half of the planet’s population.

I don't just intend to 'read the list through', I intend to respond to each and every one of your 'list of easy actions'. Which btw, after reading through your list prior to writing this, many of these 'easy actions for men to do' do not in the least bit support gender equality. They support female superiority with a pious condescension and sexist expectation of how men should behave around women.

So, onto the list:

Spoiler

1. Before explaining something to a woman, ask yourself if she might already understand. She may know more about it than you do.

I'd say this would apply to anyone, not just women, but okay.

2. Related: Never, ever try to explain feminism to a woman.

Why not? Are white people excluded from explaining racism to a black person too?

There are plenty of examples of women (for instance, in some religious circles) who strongly support male dominance and female superiority. Should a male who strongly supports gender equality be excluded from explaining to these women what gender equality actually is?

This is ridiculous. But worst of all, it's sexist; but in the reverse way. You're excluding people from the conversation based on their gender. That's the very definition of sexism!

3. Trans women are women. Repeat that until you perish.

I fully acknowledge that you can be born with the brain chemistry of that of a female, while outwardly having the physiology of a male. IF thee people wish to be identified as 'female', then I have no problem whatsoever with that as well.

Although if you're implying that I should pretend that these women don't have male sex organs, then I'll have to side with reality on this one.

Calling trans women 'women' is a kind courtesy that acknowledges their psychological femaleness. It isn't an absolute, as they are not 100% fully female. Whether you or they like it or not, they were born with male sex organs, and male hormones, and are therefore at least in some sense, male.

There are some people who for whatever reason seek to challenge this notion, and insist that we acknowledge trans women as 100% female, when they aren't. That's an objective scientific physiological fact, and it isn't bigotry to acknowledge that fact. You can still acknowledge this, while fully supporting trans rights and referring to trans women with all the proper pronouns.

Given your rather extremist views in this article, it's hard for me to tell whether you're implying here that you're part of this extremist form of political correctness camp or not, but if so I simply thought I would address this concern regardless.

4. RESPECT PEOPLE’S PRONOUNS. It’s not hard.

I support seeking to properly use most forms of political correctness as a common courtesy and as part of just simply being a decent human being.

However, sometimes political correctness crosses over the line of actual correctness, to which I won't cross. If being politically correct means being factually incorrect, then I'm sorry, but I'll have to go with being actually correct, regardless of whether you're insulted or not. You can't avoid offending anyone, at all times, ever.

Lastly I just want to reiterate, that political correctness is a common courtesy. It IS NOT an actual law. The freedom of speech still stands, and people are (and should be) free to say anything they so chose, regardless of whether it "respects people's pronouns" or not.

5. Remember that fat women exist and aren’t all trying to get thin. Treat them with respect.

Of course we should treat them with respect, we should treat all people with respect.

Yet once again, you're implying an extremist position here where we pretend that obesity isn't harmful to one's health, and that we simply 'accept' their obesity as perfectly okay. My own mother is obese, and yet she doesn't pretend that it isn't damaging to her health. This is where political correctness should never trump factual correctness.

I'm not sure if you're taking this position or not, but given your extremist attitude towards most other things in this article it's once again, hard to tell.

6. In fact, just never comment on a woman's body.

Oh come on, never? Really? Even if it's a simple compliment such as: "You look nice today."?

Do some people's comments get creepy or go a little too far? Absolutely. But it's a little extreme to say that no man should ever comment on a woman's appearance, EVER.

What about women who want men to comment on their body? And what about women commenting on men's bodies? Do they not count?

7. Be kind to women in customer service positions. Tip them extra. (But not in a creepy way.)

And now we've reached the point where your sexism is blatantly obvious. You're literally calling for women to have special treatment. Either you support gender equality, or you support one gender having preferential treatment over another. You cant' have both.

8. Trust women. When they teach you something, don't feel the need to go and check for yourself. And especially do not Google it in front of them.

So basically if it comes from the mouth of a woman, we're supposed to just blindly and dogmatically believe it simply because it came from a woman.

Imagine if this statement were about men. Just insert the word 'men' in the place of 'women', and I'm sure you'd see the sexism apparent there.

No, it goes without saying, that we shouldn't just patently believe everything that we're told, no matter who it comes from, men or women.

9. Don’t maintain a double standard for… anything, ever.

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Your previous statement LITERALLY did just that.

10. CLOSE YOUR LEGS ON PUBLIC TRANSIT, OH MY GOD.

I honestly have no idea why this is even a thing. :hmm:

If men were intentionally sending women unwanted sexual advances by doing so, then I could understand the complaint. But for the most part it's simply the way men subconsciously sit out in public. It literally means nothing to most guys. You don't have to like it, but it isn't causing any objective harm that would warrant any laws being made. Just because you personally don't like something, doesn't mean it should be illegal.

11. Trying to describe a woman positively? Say she's “talented,” “clever,” or “funny.” Not “gorgeous,” “sweet,” or “cute.”

How about we compliment someone based on what we want to compliment them on, and stop telling people what they can and can't say?

I mean honestly, it's a bloody compliment for crying out loud. Get a real problem.

12. Examine your language when talking about women. Get rid of “irrational,” “dramatic,” “bossy,” and “badgering” immediately.

Once again you're acting as the word police. You apparently don't give two s**ts about the freedom of speech.

So basically, remove X amount of words that you don't like as descriptors of you. Convenient.

If you want to say that men shouldn't refer to ALL women as irrational, dramatic, etc. etc. then I'd perfectly agree, since that would be a bigoted stereotype. Although there are both men and women to which these words most definitely apply, and so apply them we should. It sounds as if yet again you're advocating special treatment for women, that they should never under any circumstance be described with these words, even if said word applies.

13. Don't think to yourself, I describe men like that too. A) You probably don't. B) If you do, it's to criticize them for acting like a woman.

Do you seriously not see how you just stereotyped ALL men by claiming they use such adjectives solely in conjunction to women? You seriously don't see this at all?

You're literally being sexist as hell by criticizing those you're sexist against as ALL being inherently sexist. You might as well be saying ALL white people are racist.

14. Do you love “fiery” Latina women? “Strong” Black women? “Mysterious” Asian women? Stop. Pick up a book on decolonial feminism. Read.

And now you're assuming men to be inherently racist as well. More sexism.

15. Stop calling women “feisty.” We don't need a special lady word for “has an opinion."

The word 'feisty' does not apply to all women who share their opinion, or even all women in general really. Hell, I'd say there are plenty of men to which the word adequately applies. This is in no way a male-female issue.

16. Recognize women's credibility when you introduce them. “Donna is lovely” is much less useful than “Donna knows shitloads about architecture.”

Both are perfectly fine compliments. Perhaps Donna's degree in architecture doesn't apply to the current conversation? Ever think of that?

I honestly don't understand why you keep criticizing compliments. They're bloody compliments. It's not like they're insults. Get over it.

17. Think about how you describe the young women in your family. Celebrate them for being funny and smart, not for being pretty and compliant.

Woah there, I've never met a single person who's celebrated a young female family member of their for being 'compliant'. No doubt there's some sleaze ball out there that probably does, but I'd say that's for the most part incredibly rare.

18. Examine the way you talk about women you’re attracted to. Fat women, old women, queer, trans, and powerful women are not your “guilty crush.”

In an ideal world, I suppose we would all be sexually attracted to personality traits rather than anything physical.

However strictly from a scientific standpoint, that isn't how any of us (including you) operate. If you're attracted to old, fat, queer, trans, etc. women then that's what you're attracted to. Why lie about it? Aren't you an LGBT activist who claims that sexual orientation isn't a choice? If you don't choose what you're attracted to, then why should men 'choose' to pretend otherwise?

It's not like being physically attracted to someone automatically equates to fully objectifying them and seeing them as objects not people. Are you even thinking about what you're saying here in the slightest?

19. Learn to praise a woman without demonizing other women. “You're not like other girls” is not a compliment. I want to be like other girls. Other girls are awesome.

Once again, why criticize compliments? These aren't even backhanded compliments, these are all for the most part pretty benign. All that compliment is saying is essentially "You're special." That's hardly 'demonizing' other people.
 
Besides, are you seriously saying that you want to be like ALL other girls? Because ALL other girls are awesome? Even the ones that have committed heinous crimes, or those that are deeply conservative and oppose women's rights against their own interests?
 
Once again, you're looking at things from a completely black and white perspective of ALL women being inherently good. You're being blatantly sexist here.

20. Share writing by women. Don't paraphrase their work in your own Facebook post to show us all how smart or woke you are. I guarantee the woman said it better in the first place.

I honestly have no idea what you're talking about, and your last sentence here is so brazenly sexist it speaks for itself.

21. Buy sanitary pads and tampons and donate them to a homeless shelter. Just do it.

I would personally argue we should combat homelessness in an entirely different strategy altogether really, but that gets into another topic entirely.

22. How much of what you are watching/reading/listening to was made by women? Gender balance your bookcase.

I've enjoyed various media from various outlets over the years, and couldn't even begin to tell you all of who was or wasn't female, because that was never even an important factor to me.

I enjoy reading/watching/etc. what I enjoy, regardless of what gender produced what. The creator's genitalia is irrelevant to whatever it is I'm reading/watching.

Why should I or anyone else try and make a conscious effort to quote 'gender balance' anything media related? Isn't the ultimate goal of gender equality for the gender of a person to not even be a relevant factor in their work in the slightest? I'd say I've achieved that, and it took no conscious effort on my part. 

23. Feeling proud of your balanced bookcase? Are there women of color there? Trans, queer, and disabled women? Poor women? Always make sure you’re being intersectional.

Seriously, why is this even an issue? I don't go buy things so I can 'balance' my collection. I simply buy what I buy based on what I need and want. Race, sex, LGBT, rich, poor, whatever. It doesn't matter to me. I already include various viewpoints from these various areas subconsciously, but I couldn't begin to tell you how much of what I read/watch/enjoy is white and how much is black, or how much is male and how much is female. It doesn't matter! THAT'S THE POINT.

If you're out there consciously buying things based on what race or sex the person who made it is, then YOU are the one that's being racist and sexist, etc. I'm not consciously focusing on the race or sex of whatever I'm consuming, you are.

24. Don't buy media that demeans women’s experiences, valorizes violence against women, or excludes them entirely from a cast. It's not enough to oppose those things. You have to actively make them unmarketable.

I can agree that we shouldn't be putting your money into something that openly supports violence against women, but pretty much everything else you mentioned is just an individual decision for each consumer. Those are hardly crimes against anyone.

25. Pay attention to stories with nuanced female characters. It will be interesting, I promise.

It sounds like you're actively out there searching for anything that might possibly be the absolute least bit bigoted towards anyone in the slightest, and if you've determined it is then it must be shut down and criticized to the inth degree. You must be the queen of SJW's.

Look, you don't have to go out of your way in seeking out racism/sexism/etc. There's plenty of it all around you. And if you encounter it, you shouldn't force them to be silent. Yes, we should passionately criticize it, absolutely. But to shut it down violates the right to freedom of speech, which is one of the lynchpins of democracy.

It speaks to such an incredibly deep level of insecurity that you would try and silence someone else's argument. It only makes it look as though you can't refute it. This is my problem with Social Justice Warriors on the left. They are the #1 most harmful group among liberals, as they are what is portrayed by conservatives as us liberals as a whole. By going after fake cries of bigotry and silencing the opposition, it only strengthens the cries of the opposition itself, and enables genuine bigots to simply claim that the other side is perpetually crying wolf.

26. If you read stories to a child, swap the genders.

Beauty and the Beast, perhaps? :whistle:

Lol, in all seriousness though. That may be an interesting exercise at times, but I don't see it as a must do in all cases.

27. Watch women's sport. And just call it “sports.”

I can sorta see where you're coming from here.

Although as a whole, sports mostly appeal to men, so I understand why women's sports are specifically classified as "women's".

Either way, again, minor issue.

28. Withdraw your support from sports clubs, institutions, and companies that protect and employ rapists and abusers.

FINALLY. I can completely agree with something you've said.

29. Stop raving about Woody Allen. I don't care if he ****s gold. Find a non-accused-abuser to fanboy over.

Again, I fully agree.

30. It's General Leia, not princess. The Doctor has a companion, not an assistant. It's Doctor Bartlett, not Mrs Madame First Lady.

Aaaand now we're back with the word policing...

Look, I honestly don't understand why you care. These are all perfectly relevant titles. If these women don't want to be called 'princess' or whatever, and prefer to be called 'general', that's up to them. I don't care. Neither do most people. Get over it.

31. Cast women in parts written for men. We know how to rule kingdoms, go to war, be, not be, and wait for Godot.

If you're talking about anything in a historical setting, doing so would be inaccurate, as throughout the majority of human history men have maintained a more dominant role in society as kings and generals and whatnot. If you want a fantasy world or futuristic setting where women are dominant then have at it hoss. Just don't force your 'balancing' act onto historical fiction. Your inclusivity should not expand beyond the boundaries of objective fact.

32. Pay for porn.

Lol, you're fine with women being objectified by men so long as they pay for it? I honestly don't understand the logic here.

You over and over again passionately criticize men for viewing women as pretty little sex objects, and you insist upon us treating you as human beings, and then the next minute you're fine with it so long as it's paid for?

I don't care what your stance is on pornography. I'm just asking you to be consistent with your criticisms here.

33. Recognize that sex work is work. Be an advocate for and ally to sex workers without speaking for them.

You can call prostitution whatever you want, it's still prostitution. And while I support legalizing and regulating it so as to better prevent the spread of STD's, get rid of pimps and eliminate human rights abuses often associated with it, etc. I don't support prostitution any more than I support strip clubs.

I understand that this is somewhat of a debatable issue, and so presenting my personal opinion on it isn't necessarily a proper response, but I'll give it in a nutshell nonetheless.

Porn, prostitution, and strip clubs objectify women, and I think it's best for human beings overall to stick to dating and marrying each other. We should be promoting meaningful relationships, which thereby promotes healthy strong families, which promotes psychologically healthy children, etc. Just because you can legally do something, doesn't mean you necessarily should do it. It's kind of like junk food. It doesn't make you a bad person if you eat junk food (lord knows I do it when I know I shouldn't), but it isn't healthy and we shouldn't promote it. There are objectively healthier alternatives to junk food, and we should promote those alternatives all the time. What you're arguing here essentially is that we should once again, lie to ourselves and promote junk food as being equally as healthy as actual health food, and to not act like there's any sort of problem with it. There is, whether you like it or not. Calling prostitution 'sex work' is a typical marketing trick of renaming something that already has a strong negative stigma attached to it (prostitution) so as to gain greater appeal amongst people who would otherwise have no idea what you're talking about.

Anyway, those are my personal thoughts on it. The primary thing to note here is, there are various opinions regarding this topic that in no way take away the legal rights of people to engage in prostitution. In other words, you don't have to fully support 'sex work' to be in support of a woman's right to practice in that profession if she so chooses.

34. Share political hot takes from women as well as men. They might not be as widely accessible, so look for them.

Forgive me, but I honestly don't know what a 'political hot take' is and I'm not so sure I want to look it up. Somebody else reading this may very well know what you mean by that, and if they can explain then I'll just let them respond in the comments. Otherwise I'll just leave this one alone.

35. Understand that it was never “about ethics in journalism.”

Relevance?

36. Speak less in meetings today to make space for your women colleagues to share their thoughts. If you're leading the meeting, make sure women are being heard as much as men.

Being raised by a strong, single, independent woman my whole life I can tell you from experience that when a strong woman wants to be speak up and be heard, she will be heard. This is not a male/female issue, this is a shy/assertive personality issue. Gender plays little to no role. By suggesting that it is about gender, you're being sexist again.

37. If a woman makes a good point, say, “That was a good point.” Don't repeat her point and take credit for it.

WTF? Where in the hell is this coming from? Are you assuming that men do this regularly or something? God this is sexist...

38. Promote women. Their leadership styles may be different than yours. That's probably a good thing.

How about we promote those who are properly qualified and ignore gender entirely? What does having a penis or a vagina have to do with how well you can properly do your job? In most cases little to nothing.

39. Recruit women on the same salary as men. Even if they don't ask for it.

Yes, that's a no brainer.

40. Open doors for women with caring responsibilities by offering flexible employment contracts.

Okay, so now employers have to give women special treatment? What about men with caring responsibilities? Those exist too.

41. If you meet a man and a woman at work, do not assume the man is the superior for literally no reason.

We're 41 suggestions into this, and practically every one of these suggestions assume that women are superior for literally no reason.

42. If you're wrongly assumed to be more experienced than a woman colleague, correct that person and pass the platform to the woman who knows more.

Again, what does male and female have to do with any of this? How about: "If you're wrongly assumed to be more experienced than a colleague, correct that person and pass the platform to the person who knows more."

By inserting male and female into issues like this where it doesn't belong, you're being a straight-up sexist.

43. Make a round of tea for the office.

Okay. And? This is totally irrelevant.

44. Wash it up.

Sexist stereotype.

45. If you find you're only interviewing men for a role, rewrite the job listing so that it’s more welcoming to women.

I'm all for having a workplace be inclusive, however we should primarily search for those who are qualified for the job regardless of whether or not they have a vagina.

46. Make sure you have women on your interview panel.

Interview the people who are relevant to the topic at hand, regardless of gender.

Once again, stop inserting male and female into issues like this where it doesn't belong. It's sexist.

47. Tell female colleagues what your salary is.

Tell male colleagues what your salary is. You could be making more by sleeping with the boss.

As you can see, I can play this game as well.

48. Make sure there's childcare at your events.

So now every single event should provide childcare for you? Are women strong and empowered and able to work and be a parent all at the same time? Or are they so weak as to require assistance in parenting at every event? Are you so childish as to expect other people to constantly raise your child for you everywhere you go? My mother never had that and she was the damn greatest parent in the world. This is sheer nonsense. And yet again, there are single male parents out there too. It's nice that you keep ignoring them.

49. Don't schedule breakfast meetings during the school run.

So employers are supposed to just bend over backwards and give women all sorts of special treatment to women essentially. Women have managed getting their kids to school just fine for years. You're literally just expecting everyone (but mostly men) to cater to your every whim. Newsflash lady: the world does not revolve around you.

50. If you manage a team, make sure that your employees know that you recognize period pain and cystitis as legitimate reasons for a sick day.

I don't see where this is typically an issue. You might find a few ******* employers out there who won't, but otherwise this isn't a major issue.

51. If you have a strict boss (or mom or teacher) who is a woman, she is not a “b****.” Grow up.

Substitute 'woman' with 'man', and substitute the B word with another B word that rhymes with 'plastered'.

These words apply to whoever they apply to, regardless of gender.

Your arguments are so childish and weak it's sickening.

52. Expect a woman to do the stuff that's in her job description. Not the other miscellaneous **** you don't know how to do yourself.

WHY DO YOU KEEP INSERTING THE WORD 'WOMAN' INTO THINGS?

Seriously, this would apply to anyone. This is not a widespread issue.

Women in Saudi Arabia just recently obtained the right to drive, otherwise they basically lack all other human rights. And you're over here complaining over petty nonsensical s**t like this? YOU are the one that needs to grow up.

53. Refuse to speak on an all-male panel.

If the all-male panel is made up of qualified speakers regarding the topic at hand, why the hell shouldn't I? Sex is irrelevant.

54. In a Q&A session, only put your hand up if you have A QUESTION. Others didn’t attend to listen to you.

And you're addressing this to us males? This never applies to a woman in your eyes, is that it?

55. If you have friends or family members who use slurs or discriminate against trans or non-binary people, sit them down and explain why they must stop. (This goes for cis women, too.)

It's fine to explain to people why they shouldn't discriminate, and it's also fine to ask people to respect others and be careful when using your words. But what you're doing is different. You're policing what people can and cannot say, and this is partly what gave us a Donald Trump who became so popular amongst conservatives precisely because he was insulting as all hell. It was a reactionary response to your sorry ass for silencing people's free speech.

56. If you have friends or family members who use slurs or discriminate against women of other races, sit them down and explain why they must stop. (This goes for white women, too.)

No need to repeat myself, read the above response.

57. If you see women with their hands up, put yours down. This can be taken as a metaphor for a lot of things. Think about it.

WTF??? It's clearly a metaphor I've never thought of, so I have no idea what in the world you're talking about here.

I mean honestly, how in the world could you get anymore sexist then that first sentence there? Damn...

58. Raising a feminist daughter means she's going to disagree with you. And probably be right. Feel proud, not threatened.

If by 'feminist' you mean the sexist garbage you've been spewing, then don't worry about it. I won't be raising any potential daughter of mine to be 'feminist' at all actually. Instead I'd raise her to be an egalitarian who supports gender equality thank you.

59. Teach your sons to listen to girls, give them space, believe them, and elevate them.

Again, listen to all people.

I seriously just don't get where you're getting this notion of widespread sexism from. I mean yes it exists, undoubtedly. But I don't see it nearly as prevalent as you're making it out to be.

60. Dads, buy your daughter tampons, make her hot water bottles, wash her bras. Show her that her body isn't something to be ashamed of.

When dads don't want to do that, it's typically out of embarrassment and/or respect for their daughter's privacy. It has nothing to do with sexism or discrimination.

61. But dads, do not try to iron her bras. This is a mistake you will only make once.

This would actually be mildly funny if not for all the unabashed sexist bull**** you've been spewing for the past however long.

62. Examine how domestic labor is divided in your home. Who does the cleaning, the childcare, the organizing, the meal budgeting? Sons, this goes for you, too.

A typical family issue that again, has nothing really to do with gender. Why you keep inserting gender into the mix is beyond me.

63. Learn how to do domestic tasks to a high standard. “I'd only do it wrong” is a bull**** excuse.

Sexist stereotype.

64. Never again comment on how long it takes a woman to get ready. WE ARE TRYING TO MEET THE RIDICULOUS STANDARDS OF A SYSTEM YOU BENEFIT FROM.

I'll admit that it's unfair for women to be expected to take care of themselves to such a higher degree than we do for men. That's more of a societal issue however as a whole. If you don't think other women will judge fellow women on their looks, think again. Try landing a job from a female employer with make-up and whatever else versus without. I'd say the same standard would apply.

65. Challenge the patriarchs in your religious group when they enable the oppression of women.

Absolutely.

66. Challenge the patriarchs in your secular movement when they enable the oppression of women.

Having said that, I feel that by 'the oppression of women', what you really mean is this nonsense you've been spewing above and calling that 'oppression'.

Let me remind you, there are women in Saudi Arabia who just recently obtained the right to drive cars. Most other rights of theirs are stripped away. This kind of s**t still happens all over the world in various countries.

Name me one single right that men have that women don't have here in America. Just one. Yes, I know. The gender pay gap argument, which is highly debatable actually. And regardless, sexism in the workplace does not equate to your literal rights being lesser than another's.

You are whining and moaning about the 'oppression of women' for 66 out of a 100 points, and not one of them so far has mentioned the oppression of women in the middle east or India. Literally every one of your complaints are so mind-numbingly petty (and flat-out fabricated) that it's outright laughable if not for the fact that this garbage was published in typically well-respected news journal.

You are literally living in one of the few places on Earth where women have absolute 100% equal rights to men, and you have the audacity to b**** and moan about being 'oppressed'? You're an utter disgrace for a 'human rights advocate'.

67. Trust women's religious choices. Don't pretend to liberate them just so you can criticise their beliefs.

First of all, for the billionth time, what does sex have to do with this?

Second, criticizing religious beliefs is perfectly legitimate to anyone open to discussing the topic. Free speech society and whatnot.

Third, do you even know how many religious teachings are absolutely abhorrent when it comes to women's issues?

68. Examine who books your trips, arranges outings, organizes Christmas, buys birthday cards. Is it a woman? IS IT?

I would say that typically for most people it probably is. And? Your point?

69. And if it is actually you, a man, don't even dare get in touch with me looking for your medal.

So if it's a woman doing so, then you complain and say that it should be the man doing it (I assume that's what you mean, since you didn't really clarify), but then when the man does do it he shouldn't dare be thanked or praised for doing it?

I seriously don't know how people like you fail to see how sexist this s**t really is...

70. Take stock of the emotional labor you expect from women. Do you turn to the women around you for emotional support and give nothing in return?

Well if you're going to treat men like this, I'm not surprised why someone might not want to open up to you.

71. Remember that loving your mom/sister/girlfriend is not the same as giving up your own privilege to progress equality for women. And that gender inequality extends beyond the women in your direct social group.

Focus on helping people besides your family and friends. Got it.

72. Don’t assume that all women are attracted to men.

Don't assume that all men are and do pretty much all of the things you've assumed thus far.

73. Don’t assume that a woman in public wants to talk to you just because she’s in public.

WOW. Seriously? Don't even frickin' start a friendly conversation with a woman out in public if you happen to be male? Seriously!?

And you honestly want to complain about men not reciprocating to you enough emotional support, while you're unwilling to even be friendly to a frickin' stranger? REALLY?

Jeez Louise, this is some serious hardcore sexism right there. Imagine if that were said about not talking to a black man. I mean, damn...

74. If a woman tells you she was raped, assaulted, or abused, don't ask her for proof. Ask how you can support her.

Even a broken clock's right twice a day.

Once again, I fully agree with you here.

75. If you see a friend or colleague being inappropriate to a woman, call him out. You will survive the awkwardness, I promise.

Ding ding ding, did it again.

Although I will say that your idea of 'inappropriate' is apparently vastly different from the average person's though.

76. Repeat after me: Always. Hold. Men. Accountable. For. Their. Actions.

Repeat after me: Always. Hold. EVERYONE. Accountable. For. Their. Actions.

77. Do not walk too close to a woman late at night. That **** can be scary.

Dear mother of God... Imagine if that were said about a black guy. How racist would that be?

78. If you see a woman being followed or otherwise bothered by a stranger, stick around to make sure she’s safe.

Wait wait wait, hold up... :huh: You literally just said to stay away from you at night. Now you're telling us to stick around? Which is it?

79. This should go without saying: Do not yell unsolicited “compliments” at women on the street. Or anywhere.

Again with the compliments. What's with this? What is so damn harmful about a freakin' compliment?

80. If you are a queer man, recognize that your sexuality doesn’t exclude you from potential misogyny.

That's true.

81. If you are a queer man, recognize that your queer women or non-binary friends may not feel comfortable in a male-dominated space, even if it’s dominated by queer men.

That's sexist.

Imagine if you said that "we're just not comfortable being in a gay-dominated space." You'd be a straight-up homophobe.

Like seriously, do you think this stuff out at all?

82. Be happy to have women friends without needing them to want to sleep with you. The “friend zone” is not a thing. We do not owe you sex.

The "friend zone" is a thing, and it has nothing to do with the expectation of someone 'owing us sex'.

Who in the hell said that men think women 'owe us sex'? Sure, some douchebag out there probably thinks that, but most don't for sure. That's utter nonsense, and just more of your sexist bull****.

And btw, I am very happy with my female friends. Literally my BFF is female, and she and I have never even thought of sex in any sort of way towards each other in the slightest. I mean that with absolute honesty.

I mean my god, this is so beyond ridiculous.

83. Remember that you can lack consent in situations not involving sex—such as when pursuing uninterested women or forcing a hug on a colleague.

Absolutely true.

However don't draw a false equivalency between lacking consent in some areas with outright rape.

Lord knows, if you don't even want men to strike up a conversation with you in public, no telling what kind of hair-brained nonsense you might be accusing some innocent guy of.

84. Champion sex positive women but don't expect them to have sex with you.

Here, just for you:

trophy_hypocrisy.jpg

Basically what you're saying is, it's okay to get paid to do porn or prostitution, or anything sex-related that benefits you; but if it benefits men then they can quite literally F off. Uh-huh, yeah...

Don't worry lady, I'm sure most men wouldn't want you with that attitude anyway.

85. Trust a woman to know her own body. If she says she won't enjoy part of your sexual repertoire, do not try to convince her otherwise.

Fair enough.

86. Be sensitive to nonverbal cues from women, especially around sex. We’re not just being awkward for no reason. (You read “Cat Person,” didn’t you?)

So basically you expect us to read your minds regarding an issue of consent that we could literally could go to jail for. Are you effing serious right now...

87. It is not cute to try to persuade a woman to have sex with you. EVER. AT ALL. Go home.

Really? EVER??? So basically you want mankind to go frickin' extinct, because we're never ever ever supposed to try to have sex with you, EVER.

It's a good thing you don't speak for most women (even though I'm sure in your deluded mind you think you do), but I wouldn't worry about it lady. You're keeping us all away from you perfectly fine on your own.

88. Same goes for pressuring women to have sex without a condom. Go. Home. And m********e.

This is so crude, petty, and childish that I won't even dignify this with a response.

89. Accidentally impregnated a women who doesn't want a kid? Abortions cost money. Pay for half of it.

Woah there, what the hell happened to "Its' my body and I can do what I want with it."? Isn't that one of the main arguments of pro-choice? Why should the guy by forced to pay half of your medical expenses? And don't pull the whole "he caused it" argument, that's not how medical expenses work (apart from a lawsuit anyway). This isn't a car crash and you aren't a car.

90. Accidentally came inside a woman without protection? Plan B is expensive. Pay for all of it.

So now we pay for all of your medical expenses. Brilliant.

Which btw, I love how you keep painting this as if it's always the guy's fault that you get pregnant. That's rich.

91. Get STD tested. Regularly. Without having to be asked.

Not against that. Although it's also fair to say, that this wouldn't be that much of an issue if you simply maintain a healthy relationship with someone rather than hooking up every other night, but to each their own.

92. Examine your opinion on abortion. Then put it in a box. Because, honestly, it's completely irrelevant.

Because y'know, literally any issue that doesn't affect you personally, you should have absolutely no opinion of, and if you do it's completely irrelevant.

Now what was that about respecting LGBT people, and people of other races again that you were talking down to us about earlier? I doubt you fit literally every category of the LGBT spectrum and are a part of every single race on planet Earth. You should put all those opinions in a box, because it's completely irrelevant since it doesn't affect you.

93. Understand that disabled women are whole, sexual human beings. Listen to and respect them.

Put that opinion of yours in a box, cause again, I doubt you're disabled and so it doesn't affect you.

94. Understand that not all women have periods or vaginas.

...You're literally just repeating point #3...

95. Believe women's pain. Periods hurt. Endometriosis is real. Polycystic ovaries, vaginal pain, cystitis. These things are real. Hysteria isn’t.

And who the hell says they aren't?

Might as well be saying "Cancer is real, heart failure, leprosy, it's all really real!"

Well naw duh. No one's debating saying it isn't. (except some crackpot faith healer maybe, idk)

96. If a woman accidentally bleeds on you, try your absolute best to just keep your **** together.

Again, this is so damn childish that I wont' even dignify this with a response.

97. Lobby your elected officials to implement high quality sex education in schools.

If sex education includes the bull**** you've been spouting off, then count me out.

98. Uplift young Black and Indigenous girls at every possible opportunity. No excuses.

Put that opinion in a box, it's irrelevant to you.

99. Do not ever assume you know what it’s like.

156971fba7f5a07b9a5e6ccf8531bd2be31cb49a

100. Mainly, just listen to women. Listen to us and believe us. It’s the only place to start if you actually want all women to have a “Happy International Women’s Day.”

I've listened to about enough of this crap. Thank God this is the final point of yours.

giphy.gif

Last thing I want to say in response to this: Do not assume you speak for all women.

I'm incredibly grateful that the majority of women do not believe in or support this crap that you've been spewing about "women's rights" and "the oppression of women". You are clearly and open and unapologetic sexist man-hater, who likes to pretend that she's fighting for women's rights and equality when she's not.

I felt it a duty to oppose you here, not just for the sake of all the innocent men you pathetically attempted to steam roll with this hate-filled article, but also for the sake of all the decent hard working and intelligent women who fight for genuine equality on a regular basis, and who have unfortunately been mischaracterized by such a sexist amateur faker like yourself.

  • Are there genuine male misogynists out there who need to be called out still today? Absolutely.
  • Are there issues that women are more likely to face out there in the world then men (such as sexual assault in the workplace, etc.)? Absolutely.
  • Do your suggestions address any of that? Unfortunately, not in the slightest.

All they do is demean, stereotype, and criticize men for the most part literal non-issues.

You're a sexist against men, plain and simple; and you have no business being a part of any movement that seeks to promote gender equality. I pity you. And I'm disgusted that you are more often then not the example of what many conservatives see when they look to political activists on the left. You give us a bad name, and you fuel genuine sexism against women on the right by your cries faux sexism giving real sexists an excuse to claim that the left is just 'crying wolf' when we call them out on their genuine sexism and bigotry. You hurt the cause, not help it. You are not a part of the gender equality movement, and I will not support you, nor anyone like you on the left who pretend to care about sexism is bigotry.

And with that ladies and gentlemen, I bid you adieu...

14 Comments


Recommended Comments

Likely is right.  There is a lot of pull in each direction before things settle down to an equitable stability.  I do respect your energy and willingness to engage.  Thanks.  Balance is not so easy to achieve, we will keep working on it.

  • Like 3
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That is a very well thought out and well written response to the article that 'got your goat' :) 

I've read a lot of your posts here and although I don't necessarily agree with your political opinions
(mostly about Trump...haha.... don't get mad)... I can see that you have a good heart and a passion
for life....

You know.... you have a real talent for writing and I think you should take it further... like offer articles to
magazines and what not.... write a book.....

That gif of the guy falling over at the end due to the exhaustion of the epic response was funny...
you could probably write some good comedy pieces as well..... 

Re the whole subject ---- I think that respect, tolerance and kindness can go a long way in the interaction
of the sexes and that we are people first and men or women second - 

Just to pick out a couple of points.... that one about never remarking on the time it takes a woman to get ready
made me smile... I can literally, from getting out of bed and getting to the door with my coat on to go out..do
it in 5 minutes if I have to... a couple of guys I know take forever to get ready and although I know that it
takes time to shave I have no idea what they could be doing that takes so long...:D

A more serious point... the one about not walking too close to a woman at night --- you dismissed this one
outright but I have to tell you that if I was walking alone at night in the dark I would be nervous if a man
was walking behind me too close...  in fairness though I wouldn't like a woman to be walking too close
either but I would feel more danger if it was a man.... because besides violence there could be a threat
of rape.... sad we have to think and feel like that --- but it is a reality -

aaanyway.... well done -   

:tu:

  • Like 3
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preacherman76

Posted

I now have a ray of hope for you ;)

Couple things stood out that I disagree with, but overall well said. One thing though, I think if a women accuses a man of rape or assault, it cant be assumed she is telling the truth. I agree don't outright ask her for proof, that will be the job of the defendants lawyer, but pay close attention. Many men have done raps for rape cases that were innocent. Also I don't think a man should automatically lose his job over being accused. We have seen with this me too movement that some women are willing to destroy a man for reasons that have nothing to do with what they have actually been accused of.

Last thing, you are a left wing kinda person. Just know that if this somehow became a popular blog and was seen on a larger scale, many on your side of the coin would viciously attack you. Many on the left think exactly the same as the person who wrote that article. They see any decent as a personal attack on them, instead of just on their ideology. Identity politics rule the day. Just my 2 cents

  • Like 4
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preacherman76

Posted

Ha #95 is great. Men are supposed to understand a women's menstrual  cycle and all the things that come with it. But she refused to recognize that men have junk between their legs and are uncomfortable squeezing their legs together on a bus. "Man spreading" is just as much a biological experience as women's menstrual cycles are. No understanding for men though. Who ever wrote this seems like a narcissist

  • Like 4
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Grandpa Greenman

Posted (edited)

I couldn't get through all 100 of them.  My brain can't deal with that much instruction all at once. Most them come down to just treating others with respect and there is more to a person than just their outward appearance. We don't need to be so ridged with gender roles. 

Edited by Grandpa Greenman
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Number 77 was one I can agree with her completely on... Following a woman late at night can be very dangerous.... You never know what kind of nutcase she might be...

  • Like 4
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Aquila King

Posted

Thanks everyone for the all the compliments and support. ^_^

Nice to know all that typing wasn't for nothing. :wacko:

  • Like 2
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Aquila King

Posted

9 hours ago, bee said:

You know.... you have a real talent for writing and I think you should take it further... like offer articles to
magazines and what not.... write a book.....

Thanks. I've honestly seriously thought about getting a degree in journalism. Maybe a minor in journalism at least.

I'll just have to learn to proof read a bid more. Looking back I can see several typos...

e340ab2ed50251265bd9caaafb887e18.jpg

  • Like 3
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Aquila King

Posted

6 hours ago, preacherman76 said:

Last thing, you are a left wing kinda person. Just know that if this somehow became a popular blog and was seen on a larger scale, many on your side of the coin would viciously attack you. Many on the left think exactly the same as the person who wrote that article. They see any decent as a personal attack on them, instead of just on their ideology. Identity politics rule the day. Just my 2 cents

Unfortunately you're right, but I'm used to it. I'm like that in most areas actually.

Main thing is, I care about what's actually true. I swear no loyalty to any party or label in anything. Agree or disagree with me, my only loyalty is to that which I consider to be true.

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Aquila King

Posted

3 hours ago, Taun said:

Number 77 was one I can agree with her completely on... Following a woman late at night can be very dangerous.... You never know what kind of nutcase she might be...

I literally just now got that after reading it several minutes ago. :lol:

  • Like 2
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Space Commander Travis

Posted (edited)

11. Trying to describe a woman positively? Say she's “talented,” “clever,” or “funny.” Not “gorgeous,” “sweet,” or “cute.”

37. If a woman makes a good point, say, “That was a good point.” 

Surely that would  be construed as patronizing. I know I'd take it as a patronizing pat on the head if someone said "ooh, aren't you clever?". And “funny”? You know what response you'd get there. "Are you saying women aren't usually funny then, and when one is it's so unusual that it's worthy of comment? Pig!" Or "You think women only exist for your amusement then do you? Pig!" :hmm:

 

Edited by Vlad the Mighty
  • Like 2
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Space Commander Travis

Posted

How much of what you are watching/reading/listening to was made by women? Gender balance your bookcase.

Maybe that's what I need to do. I thought one of the legs was a bit wonky, but maybe I need to gender balance it. 

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Farmer77

Posted (edited)

I confess I didn't read it all but take my honorary feminist card away because they can pry my *spam filter*  free adult entertainment from my cold dead hands!!!!!!!!!!

 

Edited by Farmer77
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