Spare a thought. Image: Independentman
Of course we have Google alerts set up for the term feminism (and women's health, amongst others if you're interested – FYI eat more kale!). Of course we do, what with writing about feminism on a regular basis. When we set up this google alert we thought what we would get would be notifications from feminist resources, articles by feminist writers and, obviously, the odd 'is feminism still relevant?' article.
What we have received has strayed from the expected. Much of the content has not been anti-feminism but plain anti-women. How women are ruining the world, how women are rubbish, can women even contribute? I paraphrase. But it seems there are more Mens Rights Activists talking about feminism online than feminists doing feminist things. Which is odd, because apparently it is all these men can do to get out of bed THANKS TO A FEMINIST. And not in a fun 'sex positive' feminist way, in an 'all men are predators' feminist way. I know, SIGH.
What we have received has strayed from the expected. Much of the content has not been anti-feminism but plain anti-women. How women are ruining the world, how women are rubbish, can women even contribute? I paraphrase. But it seems there are more Mens Rights Activists talking about feminism online than feminists doing feminist things. Which is odd, because apparently it is all these men can do to get out of bed THANKS TO A FEMINIST. And not in a fun 'sex positive' feminist way, in an 'all men are predators' feminist way. I know, SIGH.
Today's offering is the news that a group of MRAs have set up a fund. The Feminist Victims Fund has been set up by the subreddit group Men's Rights. Have you been a victim of feminism? Because you might have a claim here. We aren't linking, but if you watch enough day time TV and don't forward through the adverts or choose that moment to make a cup of tea (I cannot believe you have to make your own tea, that's a claim right there if you burn yourself) I have a feeling that an ad for the fund might pop up.
The fund was set up in reaction to the ( what seems to me to be more complicated than necessary) Adria Richards case, with the aim of raising money for the man fired from PlayHaven as a result of Richards' complaint. One of the people behind the fundraiser, Reddit user redpillschool explained their actions: “Unfortunately in today's climate, being a man has become a financial liability. Say the wrong thing in the wrong place and you can find your entire life ruined. Destroyed. Feminists have fought for equality, but now they're out for our rights. They're destroying us financially. They're trying to tear apart our families. We're saying that enough is enough. No longer should men fear masculinity.”
The fund was set up in reaction to the ( what seems to me to be more complicated than necessary) Adria Richards case, with the aim of raising money for the man fired from PlayHaven as a result of Richards' complaint. One of the people behind the fundraiser, Reddit user redpillschool explained their actions: “Unfortunately in today's climate, being a man has become a financial liability. Say the wrong thing in the wrong place and you can find your entire life ruined. Destroyed. Feminists have fought for equality, but now they're out for our rights. They're destroying us financially. They're trying to tear apart our families. We're saying that enough is enough. No longer should men fear masculinity.”
| The interesting thing is that sometimes I think it is thanks to feminism that nobody laughs in a Men's Rights Activist's face. Often the most frustrating thing in feminist circles is that everyone is entitled to Make A Point, no matter how absurd. A member of a feminist group can sincerely fret for the wrongly accused in rape cases and in the name of politeness, in spite of all kinds of triggers, we give space to that man instead of that man giving space to us. | The problem is that a disenfranchised woman is kinda whiney. A disenfranchised man is a loose cannon. |
The writer of the Huffington Post piece covering this story, Alexis Kleinman, points out Reddit boasts a number of anti-feminism and misogynist pages: “With horrifying subreddits like “beating women,” “killing women,” “raping women,” and “hot rape stories,” it shouldn't be surprising when a new sexist subreddit emerges. The Feminist Victims Fund, while certainly not nearly as terrifying or upsetting as the aforementioned subreddits, is still evidence of an upsetting trend in the Reddit community.”
Scroll down and every comment is in support of the point these MRAs are making. The first commenter says he “I fear even speaking to a woman that I might work with”. I could be flip and say I wish more men felt that way. But that wouldn't be true. I would be interested to know how this commenter is addressed at work, however. Is it by his name, or 'sir', perhaps. Maybe in the right context it's 'mate' or 'buddy'. Most women at work would tell you they get called 'darling', 'baby' or 'dear'. No big deal? Oh, you'd like that kind of endearment?
The trouble with such terms is that no matter how innocent the person using the terms is, over time they infantalise their darling, or baby, or dear. They don't put you in the context of a comrade or colleague, they put you in the context of underling. It's not alarming, it's not a big deal. Until for instance you hear on the Today programme Former BBC producer Wilfred De'ath utter the sentence: “womanising or paedophilia or whatever you call it.” Because to him women and children are kind of interchangeable.
The problem is that a disenfranchised woman is kinda whiney. A disenfranchised man is a loose cannon.
Squeamish Kate
Scroll down and every comment is in support of the point these MRAs are making. The first commenter says he “I fear even speaking to a woman that I might work with”. I could be flip and say I wish more men felt that way. But that wouldn't be true. I would be interested to know how this commenter is addressed at work, however. Is it by his name, or 'sir', perhaps. Maybe in the right context it's 'mate' or 'buddy'. Most women at work would tell you they get called 'darling', 'baby' or 'dear'. No big deal? Oh, you'd like that kind of endearment?
The trouble with such terms is that no matter how innocent the person using the terms is, over time they infantalise their darling, or baby, or dear. They don't put you in the context of a comrade or colleague, they put you in the context of underling. It's not alarming, it's not a big deal. Until for instance you hear on the Today programme Former BBC producer Wilfred De'ath utter the sentence: “womanising or paedophilia or whatever you call it.” Because to him women and children are kind of interchangeable.
The problem is that a disenfranchised woman is kinda whiney. A disenfranchised man is a loose cannon.
Squeamish Kate
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