The #MeToo movement signaled the dawning of a new era of women's empowerment.
They were encouraged and supported by their peers to come forward with their stories that were formerly hidden out of shame and fear.
However, there is still more progress to be made in terms of the treatment of women in society and in the workplace. A conversation has begun about sexism and misogyny, and the fact it is still so prevalent.
Feminist Robin Zlotnick wrote an article, titled, "These Stories Illustrate Why Men Must Stand up to Misogynistic Behavior," saying that impactful change will happen only if men "take up the mantle and do the work of teaching other men that their sexist and misogynistic behavior is unacceptable."
Twitter user @emrazz, a.k.a. "The razzle lady," asked "good guys" to respond to a thread in which she asked what role they've played against misogyny.
"Good guys: tell me about a time you saw misogyny or predatory behavior in action and spoke up. What did you say? What are your suggestions for other men in this situation? #NotCoolMan"
Good guys: tell me about a time you saw misogyny or predatory behavior in action and spoke up. What did you say? Wh… https://t.co/JShsNy160u— feminist next door (@feminist next door)1551586944.0
A flood of responses came in with both men and women witnessing or engaging in acts of preventing predatory behavior.
The unfortunate reality is the fact that aggressive men need to be called out by other men in order to drive a point home.
@emrazz Some rando grabbed my behind at a bar; I laid into him. A guy overheard me, stepped in and asked if he touc… https://t.co/oONB3Qz79z— Ali K (@Ali K)1551590367.0
Backing up an assertion is more important than just reprimanding.
This person explained to his friend why joking about trans women is not cool.
The friend had no idea of their struggles in everyday life and hopefully gained a new perspective after being schooled.
@emrazz Someone i respected joked about pretending to be trans so they could get a job because of hiring quotas, an… https://t.co/QaPF2FCmgG— Benge eating my sorrows away (@Benge eating my sorrows away)1551587189.0
@emrazz My suggestion for other people in a situation like that is don't just speak up, explain *why* something is… https://t.co/epzeH41WoK— Benge eating my sorrows away (@Benge eating my sorrows away)1551587268.0
This is someone who took action against something that could have gone horribly wrong.
Turns out he had exceptional instincts.
@emrazz Two guys were trying to take this drunk girl into a room with them at a party and I refused to let them tak… https://t.co/kXBMxAPqvr— 243 years is enough, im voting Female in 2020. (@243 years is enough, im voting Female in 2020.)1551599925.0
@emrazz She contacted me the next day and thanked me for not letting her go with them. It turned out to be her abus… https://t.co/LQixc6DFwQ— 243 years is enough, im voting Female in 2020. (@243 years is enough, im voting Female in 2020.)1551600136.0
Casual quips like this need to be nipped in the bud.
Otherwise, the cycle is perpetual and damaging.
@emrazz My response is similar to others... A bartender said, “Check out her ass.” I don’t look, and say, “You ca… https://t.co/lZDRvFLVrq— Django S. Zeia (@Django S. Zeia)1551589301.0
If only more guys did this.
Like he says, "It's not hard."
@emrazz One of few times I’ve been to a club a guy was trying to get a girl to dance and was being aggressive so I… https://t.co/ebfuL6YSki— Cody Collins (@Cody Collins)1551587533.0
Catcalling needs to go.
It's gross, disrespectful and moronic.
That said, the response to this tactic is gold.
@emrazz When I see men cat calling women on the street I turn around and start doing it to them. It’s AMAZING.— Pete Dominick (@Pete Dominick)1551745598.0
This is something most parents don't address, but should.
@emrazz My father today informed me that he isnt comfortable that I let my two year old run around the house withou… https://t.co/Xtud1saNcV— TV's Josh Fisher 🎲🎮🃏 (@TV's Josh Fisher 🎲🎮🃏)1551588312.0
It's not always easy to confront aggressive behavior.
Kudos to this guy for his fortitude.
@emrazz I once saw two men in SF sexually harassing a woman pushing her baby in a stroller. I told them to leave he… https://t.co/bnquZOpRa8— Jeremy (@Jeremy)1551588751.0
@flippant80 @emrazz At least they must have stopped harassing her, if only briefly, so you may give her a chance to… https://t.co/F7AWVcAdFb— Gill Hay (@Gill Hay)1551598296.0
@flippant80 @fghays22 @emrazz I’ve been threatened physical harm by several random men in public because I dont act… https://t.co/Zf0UTBEZxm— Annie ~ ♏️♌️♏️ (@Annie ~ ♏️♌️♏️)1551612884.0
Feigning ignorance is another less combative, but effective, way to prevent harassment.
@emrazz i am petrified of confrontations, but one time i stood up on the bus to get between a guy hitting obviously… https://t.co/wrxcgCb8YR— Panic! at Uncle Joe's Apologies (@Panic! at Uncle Joe's Apologies)1551588208.0
Never joke about rape.
It will never be funny.
And reminding others about the fact will pay dividends.
@emrazz About a decade ago, guy in my office made a rape joke. I yelled at him in front of the whole team, like 8 p… https://t.co/bBssu9Asxf— Matt Macdonald (@Matt Macdonald)1551592331.0
The punishment for this kind of outdated sexism fit the times.
@SusChecked @emrazz A male classmate told me to make him a sandwich and our (male) teacher overheard and made him give me his lunch l— skylar, a badfish too (@skylar, a badfish too)1551588840.0
Repetition is a subtle yet effective way of shutting down guys like this judgemental dimwit.
@emrazz @ErynnBrook A guy I worked with in retail commented on clothing, calling the wearers “slutty.” Very non con… https://t.co/vpgl7pRI3J— Z "Supports Writers" Geoffroy (@Z "Supports Writers" Geoffroy)1551588099.0
The overwhelming number of responses in this thread show that we are turning a corner by calling out these sexist aggressions. Like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said, "We Should All Be Feminists".
But it also shows there is a lot of this behavior happening. How many more were not called out?
Keep speaking up.
