Are Anti-Feminists the Best Ad for Feminists?

Question

Did you ever think of that? I mean if you want to influence someone's opinion about feminism trust me...you are.

I get in from school and I came here and read the nasty stupid things that the anti-feminists say and I read the things that Thinking men and women say and I am soo impressed.

And I have to say that seeing the interesting and intelligent women who are here is so cool! You are wonderful! :)

Baba Yaga it is my pleasure to say it.. I read your posts and Ienjoy them. Thank You!

Super Ruper thank you..i don't have a problem with someone respectfully disagreeing or having another POV.

it's the jerks who need to get a life who i don't bother with...and who I don't want to be bothered by..

Answer 1

I have often thought the same thing of the ignorance and malignancy that is posted in the name of anti feminist rhetoric. It proves again and again that there is a long way to go for equality to take place not only between males and females but also for the other groups who are oppressed and marginalized.
Feminist recognize that other groups who are denigrated include the elderly, minorities, different religions and cultures, gays and lesbians and the disabled to mention a few.
Thanks for an refreshing insight from a younger member of the community. I hope you continue with the same outlook and you will always be open to learning and enlightenment.

Answer 2

I can see exactly where you're coming from with this post - it is odd that they spend so much time with people they hate - but then, so do we, where there are so many feminist-only groups we could join. Plus, as much as the really offensive ones annoy me - they do have a right to be here, and to their own opinion. If feminism is a theory for all of society, which it claims to be, then all of society has a right to discuss it, even if people come to a different conclusion than us. There is no particular difference, ideologically, politically or in terms of achievements between democracies and dictatorships - except one allows its enemies to speak, organise and even challenge them, while the other does not. So it's not so much a question of why do the anti-feminists keep coming here - obviously, if you could shout at your enemies and call them names all day long - wouldn't you? Imagine being able to heckle politicians this much? And that's how they see feminism - as the ruler of the world. The much more interesting question is, why do the feminists keep coming here? When there are, as I say, so many other feminist-only groups they could go to? They get no credit for it, it gets them no-where, nobody agrees with them, they don't even get admiration, they get trolled, cloned, insulted every single day, on almost every single post - yet here they are, calmy, patiently, and for the 15,000th time explaining what equality is all about, and what feminism is. Would you think a politician brave, if he took this much grief and kept going? I would... Voice of reality - a 'chav' is a lower class english person - similar to 'poor white trash' - it has absolutely nothing to do with chauvinism :-)

Answer 3

It is not just "interesting and intelligent women" who support Your hypothesis. There are more than a few Men who have championed the Women's Rights and Issues debate over the last century or more.
I rather enjoy seeing what the latest line in 'Anti-Feminist' rhetoric is when I come on line whenever I get back into the City, and how quickly support for such diatribes tend to wain. Go thought the Q&A for G&WS over the last 12 months and look at the visisitudes of public awareness and content. The exercise is well worth the time taken.
Don't ever let the advocates of Anti-Feminism and Sexism stand in Your way of thinking for Yourself and expressing Your opinions.
Cheers, Ashleigh.

Answer 4

Some...most certainly. Those who post with the express purpose of ridiculing and belittling feminists and their beliefs are perfect examples of what you suggest.

What I would ask, however, is that you recognize that feminism is not a 'with us or against us' movement. There are many people - myself included - who believe that there are good and bad in every group. Including feminists. And as a part of that movement, I would think that you would recognize that there are many women on here - who claim to be feminists - who do not represent the true nature of feminism.

When I write anything that can be perceived quickly as 'anti-feminist'...I ask that you read with eyes opened...not in a reactionary manner that is inevitable from this forum. There are others, like me, who believe that an honorable movement has been hijacked by ignorance and great disrespect for men or any who may oppose, even respectfully, what they believe.

The reality is that there will be callous attacks on feminism...just as there have been childish and ignorant attacks on any movement or group. But you cannot discount the thoughts and ideas of some who want only to honestly and sincerely debate. How can anyone learn if they are closed minded to ideas different from their own? I've learned much on this site, from Dierdre and others...women and men who have presented a case about which I thought I knew my mind. In reading their views, I realize that my view may have been clouded, or even completely wrong.

I ask that you don't lump us all in the same category and discount our thoughts...often, my words are misconstrued and misquoted, simply because I happen to disagree with a stand presented.

Answer 5

I know my life has been guided by the teaching of a Feminist in a world when there was not a lot of respect for a women's intellect and Knowledge, My socialization was constructed by this Feminist and out of all of the people I have know in this world ,none have had an impact on me more than my mother,
She taught me to love, She taught me to have pride in who I am, And she taught me to fight for my rights. I lost her are the tender age of 54, to breast cancer, and I at times feel guilty that at 69 , I spent more time on this earth that she did and I still cry when I think of my loss.

Answer 6

I think so.

I came here because I was very interested in the topic, after a couple of months in here and after reading the "questions" of some anti-feminists trolls, I call myself a feminist. So yes they are promoting by their own extreme attitude, feminism. I thought about this the other day...and made me smile ;-)

Answer 7

I see a lot of cognitive dissonance going on in this forum and in this question. There have been good points here and there though. So my answer is not always.

Answer 8

It's good to know that you feel this way! I just posted a question here regarding the impact of people's posts on others, esp. the younger folks. I'm glad you are someone who is, despite your young age, able to think for yourself and decide what you will or will not buy into. You're getting a star from me!

Answer 9

This type of thing is going to go both ways when either is radical. Radical feminism and man hating has given feminism a strong enough negative social stigma that many women refuse to claim to be part of it.

And, it very well may be that man hating is not part of feminism, but what matters is the perception of those you are speaking to, not your own. Communication 101.

I have no solution for this situation, but there may be one out there waiting to be discovered. Personally I'm all for a gender neutral name of the group - perhaps less man haters would claim to be in it?

Answer 10

Lets see anti feminists remind feminists what feminism is about, so yeah you have a point.