Negativity spreads like wildfire. A simple response is seen by so many other users and interacted with in turn. The chain never ceases to die down. For uplifting, wholesome additions, this is always a great thing. Humans thrive on compliments and anything that boosts their self-esteem.
The impact of negative attributions, however, is far more powerful. It sticks in our minds so much more, overpowering any joy. To top it off, we’re constantly told that ‘everyone is entitled to their own opinion’ and that anything said against harmful commentary is under the heading of pathetic, whinging, ‘snowflake’ behaviour. This always stirs something in me, as freedom of speech has been translated to ‘let every bigot have a voice,’ which isn’t the intention of the system at all. I can’t help but roll my eyes when I get that reply, especially from a butthurt cis man, as his fragile ego has been threatened so harshly, in their eyes. They’re demanding I listen. I ignore that demand, and hit the block button.
I don't bother to do anything more than like posts on Instagram, or tag friends in something amusing, in order to avoid the boiling rage that inevitably explodes when I come across misogyny, transphobia, Islamophobia - the list goes on. The distressing rhetoric a few numbskulls find amusing is defended so adamantly, it makes me think how much better the world would be if people put that exact fiery effort into genuine kindness. I anticipate it wouldn’t be an ideal thing to dream about, because the world is full to the brim with hate.
How many cis men read the title of this post and immediately put me down as an aggravating feminist? You’d be right to make that assumption. I’ve never held back in expressing my distaste for misogyny, and that extends to the most ‘minor’ bullshit men present as humour.
It doesn’t take much effort to refrain from posting unnecessary comments. In fact, it doesn’t take much effort to think through whatever input you want to provide on any platform, and why it could be problematic. Alas, a certain throng of people truly struggle with basic human interaction, and continue to spew misogynistic trash as they please.
One man I have in mind as I write this post is an Instagram user who left a beguiling comment on a surgeon’s post today. The post in question showed the before and after of a woman’s breast reduction surgery. It’s common knowledge - or should be - that large breasts can cause a mass of health problems, as well as chronic pain. That surgery has improved the woman’s quality of life on a scale that no cis man would understand.
No cis man would be able to comprehend anything about women, anyway, because they’re men. It’s as simple as that. To come across the persistent blathering of cis men as they try - and fail - to explain a concept only women have lived through is amusing, sure, but more so odd. The incel narrative constantly overrides the cis man’s ability to utilise common sense, it seems, as their tirade of bullshit continues.
I’m always happy to see people shut down any problematic interactions, and do so myself on the odd occasion, but it’s as if cis men just don’t want to believe that their opinions on women’s issues don’t matter. They’ve progressed into parasitic occupations, constantly singing the same song over and over again; when someone tells them, in the simplest terms, that they’re wrong, hell breaks loose.
A cis man feminist falls under the same category of not having a say in women’s experiences. As an ally, they can’t provide personal input. As an ally, your job is to defend whichever minority and let their voices be heard - not take over the platform and infest the space with anecdotal trash that has no relevance.
The post I mentioned above had a lot of positive comments, namely from women stating that the surgery must have left her feeling so much better. Gone is the chronic back pain and spinal discomfort. It was refreshing to read an influx of admirable responses, empathising with the woman’s plight.
But, of course, in this world, cis men must intervene. Cis men must comment on anything and everything, providing their unnecessary and useless input. Of course, a few did.
This man in question left a simple comment stating the woman “shouldn’t have done that, looked better before”.
I don't bother to do anything more than like posts on Instagram, or tag friends in something amusing, in order to avoid the boiling rage that inevitably explodes when I come across misogyny, transphobia, Islamophobia - the list goes on. The distressing rhetoric a few numbskulls find amusing is defended so adamantly, it makes me think how much better the world would be if people put that exact fiery effort into genuine kindness. I anticipate it wouldn’t be an ideal thing to dream about, because the world is full to the brim with hate.
How many cis men read the title of this post and immediately put me down as an aggravating feminist? You’d be right to make that assumption. I’ve never held back in expressing my distaste for misogyny, and that extends to the most ‘minor’ bullshit men present as humour.
It doesn’t take much effort to refrain from posting unnecessary comments. In fact, it doesn’t take much effort to think through whatever input you want to provide on any platform, and why it could be problematic. Alas, a certain throng of people truly struggle with basic human interaction, and continue to spew misogynistic trash as they please.
One man I have in mind as I write this post is an Instagram user who left a beguiling comment on a surgeon’s post today. The post in question showed the before and after of a woman’s breast reduction surgery. It’s common knowledge - or should be - that large breasts can cause a mass of health problems, as well as chronic pain. That surgery has improved the woman’s quality of life on a scale that no cis man would understand.
No cis man would be able to comprehend anything about women, anyway, because they’re men. It’s as simple as that. To come across the persistent blathering of cis men as they try - and fail - to explain a concept only women have lived through is amusing, sure, but more so odd. The incel narrative constantly overrides the cis man’s ability to utilise common sense, it seems, as their tirade of bullshit continues.
I’m always happy to see people shut down any problematic interactions, and do so myself on the odd occasion, but it’s as if cis men just don’t want to believe that their opinions on women’s issues don’t matter. They’ve progressed into parasitic occupations, constantly singing the same song over and over again; when someone tells them, in the simplest terms, that they’re wrong, hell breaks loose.
A cis man feminist falls under the same category of not having a say in women’s experiences. As an ally, they can’t provide personal input. As an ally, your job is to defend whichever minority and let their voices be heard - not take over the platform and infest the space with anecdotal trash that has no relevance.
The post I mentioned above had a lot of positive comments, namely from women stating that the surgery must have left her feeling so much better. Gone is the chronic back pain and spinal discomfort. It was refreshing to read an influx of admirable responses, empathising with the woman’s plight.
But, of course, in this world, cis men must intervene. Cis men must comment on anything and everything, providing their unnecessary and useless input. Of course, a few did.
This man in question left a simple comment stating the woman “shouldn’t have done that, looked better before”.
Is it not infuriating to come across shit like this on a regular basis? A cis man, with zero experience in the functionality of a woman’s body, leaves a comment saying she shouldn’t have had reductive surgery, just because he misses the view. Just because breasts are sexual objects to him, and he refuses to see this woman’s health problems, and instead wants to cry about smaller boobs. It’s fucking mind-boggling that people have the nerve to casually insert this misogyny in life, and constantly push the same shit down people’s throats, when their input doesn’t mean shit.
If you’re a cis man, hold onto your seat, because you’re going to get the shock of a lifetime: your negative input on women’s experiences don’t mean shit. Your opinion doesn’t matter. Your comments are inappropriate and unwanted. No one asked for your overtly-sexualised manifestations to join the scene.
The notion is simple. Either show some solidarity, or shut the fuck up. There’s enough hatred in the world to choke us out for eons - stop adding to the misogyny that’s already consumed so many people. Stop giving bigots a voice. Put your own bigotry to a stop, and educate yourself, because plenty of people don’t take kindly to this shit and I don’t blame them. It’s probable that your skull is too thick for the simplest of words to penetrate, but common sense is a wonderful thing.
Cis men have sexualised, objectified and dehumanised women since the beginning of humanity. I’m not going to put up with it. Every rebuttal like mine is valuable, because remaining ignorant to this misogyny, minor or major, let’s it thrive.
That being said, one thing to keep in mind about social media and its array of trolls is that arguing with people online for free isn't always worth it. I'm selective with my online presence, as I refuse to increase engagement of a bigot's work. Negative people will never cease to exist, so you have to be wise with your battles. It isn't anyone's job to educate the ignorant.
Hold back your blatant disrespect for minorities. Hold back on your hatred. Hold back on useless, negative comments on social media. You’re only adding fuel to a chain of events that are damaging and inhumane. Women aren’t the problem- you are.
Zack
If you’re a cis man, hold onto your seat, because you’re going to get the shock of a lifetime: your negative input on women’s experiences don’t mean shit. Your opinion doesn’t matter. Your comments are inappropriate and unwanted. No one asked for your overtly-sexualised manifestations to join the scene.
The notion is simple. Either show some solidarity, or shut the fuck up. There’s enough hatred in the world to choke us out for eons - stop adding to the misogyny that’s already consumed so many people. Stop giving bigots a voice. Put your own bigotry to a stop, and educate yourself, because plenty of people don’t take kindly to this shit and I don’t blame them. It’s probable that your skull is too thick for the simplest of words to penetrate, but common sense is a wonderful thing.
Cis men have sexualised, objectified and dehumanised women since the beginning of humanity. I’m not going to put up with it. Every rebuttal like mine is valuable, because remaining ignorant to this misogyny, minor or major, let’s it thrive.
That being said, one thing to keep in mind about social media and its array of trolls is that arguing with people online for free isn't always worth it. I'm selective with my online presence, as I refuse to increase engagement of a bigot's work. Negative people will never cease to exist, so you have to be wise with your battles. It isn't anyone's job to educate the ignorant.
Hold back your blatant disrespect for minorities. Hold back on your hatred. Hold back on useless, negative comments on social media. You’re only adding fuel to a chain of events that are damaging and inhumane. Women aren’t the problem- you are.
Zack