T-Hud writers Lorna and Aimee recently produced a piece about the misconceptions of feminism. The article brings to light a number of interesting points but there is one factor that I want to expand a little further. Aimee stated, quite rightly, that not all feminists hate men, but she didn’t mention why so many people think that they do. The answer comes from, as you might expect, social media; notably Tumblr.
The so-called Tumblr Feminists (TFs) have, for some time now, taken it upon themselves to brand ALL men in the same light –often depicting them as unsavoury characters, and there is no reason for it. Sure there are bad men out there, but women aren’t perfect either. In truth, there are millions of good, decent men out there, who are respectful of women and want them to have the same opportunities as they do, and who stand with the likes of Emma Watson, backing her #HeForShe campaign.
The TFs have however started a debate that is bringing people from all walks of life, both men and women into the issue, giving them a chance to share their views, and prove once and for all that #NotAllWomen hate men. How can ALL women hate men for instance, when thousands upon thousands of weddings take place every week? Or how can ALL women hate men when they’re part of creating a new life?
There is currently a series of hash-tags on the site depicting both sides of the argument, including #NotAllMen and #YesAllWomen, ensuring that millions upon millions of people, many of them young men and women who might not follow the news bulletins which grace our screens, do get to hear about the issue in a way that they can follow – online. There is huge support for equality from the majority of the sites’ users, so why is it that the words and posts of a few are having such an impact?
Surely, if we stand together, fighting for equality as women have done for many years (look at the Suffragettes for example), then something WILL change. Hell, things are changing; some people just clearly haven’t noticed. We are not stuck in the dark ages anymore – women don’t need to rely on men in order to succeed, and men shouldn’t keep being subjected to the abuse they get because a few of their gender rape or kill or don’t particularly conform to what some women think a man should be.
The fact is, whether people believe it or not, as quoted by one Tumblr user: “Feminism is NOT a hate movement, and if anyone makes it one, they clearly aren’t a feminist. Feminism – equality for BOTH genders.”
Leave a Reply