"Modern-Day Feminism Is A Joke... Sort Of": A Response

So I’m not sure if this has been done before. But I’ll be responding to a classmate of mines blog post about his misgivings with “modern day feminism”. I do expect a backlash from some of the zealous types who spring up when it comes to this topic, but here it goes.

“Now before I start, I just want to say how I agree with the equality of genders, and I believe that people should not be discriminated against at all.” Then you are a feminist.

“However, it seems to me that, nowadays, that a man can't even cross the street without a so-called 'feminist' saying how offensive it is to women.” This whole issue with people taking offense to things always seems to come from people who aren’t at the receiving end of what’s being deemed offensive. It’s also worth considering the street analogy, when many women have the constant the fear of rape at certain times crossing the street. Something a lot of us men (statistically) will never experience.

“When I think of feminism, I think of the women who died in the last century for the rights of women, not of the modern-day feminist who complain about everything.” – Equality does not stop at legislature, to ignore systematic discrimination is to ignore discrimination entirely.

“Let's look at the new 50 Shades of Grey movie. Okay, so it's about a man who sexually dominates a woman... “ No, it’s about violence and the romanticisation of violence. Attitudes expressed in culture don’t exist in a bubble; they can and have had real effects on the world.

In 50 Shades of Grey the dominating character gives Anastasia 30+oz of alcohol, while staying sober himself, he later admits that he gave her so much so she wouldn’t “over think”. He also ignores safety words and the work is presented in a way that assumes that women secretly want to be dominated, regardless of what they say.

“So? Aren't some women into that?  The same way some men are into the opposite.” Yes, but 50 Shades of Grey does go beyond healthy BDSM and literally promotes rape and sexual abuse.

“Also, isn't the author of the book a woman?   However, despite the fact that this FEMALE author has merely written an erotic novel with a sadomasochistic character, I see a lot of talk on social media how this is perpetuating rape culture?!?!?“ This is a common mistake made by people who analyse social trends on their outliers and individual cases. The world is not made up of individual cases; there are legitimate social-wide ideas that ring down throughout society. One of the most important things needed for those in power to make sure that they stay in power, is to convince those that they rule over that they deserve to be ruled. In this case – internalised misogyny. Women have been taught to subscribe to values that men have placed upon them, they’ve been taught to accept their place in society and what they should enjoy based upon male criteria. The same way that the poor and working classes have been deceived into believing that their salvation lies with granting more power to the wealthy few - many women have been taught that their liberation lies with supporting the existing male-run society.

“One erotic novel and movie will not be the cause of rape. I look at the modern-day feminist, and, about half of the time, I see an adolescent woman who appears to be attempting to belittle the male gender, often citing them as the blame for the majority of life's issues.  To these women I say, if you have a problem, it's usually only your own dilemma, don't take it up with us men.”

But it’s just a book right?