Meninism is satirical, should not be taken seriously
Meninism started as a Twitter account parodying feminism. Satire, jokes, that’s all it was set out to be. The creators of the account actually agreed with feminism.
Then suddenly, a bunch of boys began using the hashtags meninist and meninism to claim that females have more rights than males and to just ridicule feminism and females in general. They took what was a joke, a completely fake movement, and turned it into a huge deal.
First of all, meninism is a term made up to sound like feminism. The proper term would be masculism. Those who actually identify as meninists probably don’t realize how incredibly unintelligent the word itself is.
One of the main points meninists whine about is that they believe feminism isn’t truly about equality, they think men are completely excluded from feminism. In reality, real feminism is about equality, therefore, it focuses on men as well as women, though there is a greater focus on the rights of women.
The reason feminism is so centered on women is because women are the ones at a disadvantage in society, and that’s the way it’s always been. Many male issues that meninists address are already covered by feminism.
For example, feminists want to see an end to sexual assault and domestic violence in general, not exclusively against women. But it may seem like it’s always about females because, as statistics can show, so many more women on average get raped than men.
It’s simply ridiculous to argue against the facts that show that women are not equal to men in political, economic, and social matters.
So to those who aren’t taking it seriously, congratulations, you’ve successfully ticked off feminists. And to those who seriously believe in meninism, please educate yourself, you don’t understand feminism. To both of you, thanks for making everything about yourselves, you can quit now.
It seems like most meninists are just trying to get a rise out of people, specifically feminists. Most of these guys are just looking for a debate, a fight, and some of them are truly making people feel uncomfortable or harassed.
I would be able to let it be and ignore the whole issue, despite how ridiculous it is, if it weren’t annoying or harassing people. Doing something just for a fight is childish, it makes you look pathetic.
Hopefully we’ll see this whole issue calm down. It will end when we just decide to believe what we want without trying to force those beliefs upon others. If you need to correct someone, try to put it politely and make it clear that what you’re saying is strictly your opinion.
If you feel you must debate, keep it cool, okay? When someone feels uncomfortable, you’ve crossed the line.
16bmathias@usd489.com
Brianna Mathias is a senior and this is her third year of being on the Guidon staff. She is a co-editor-in-chief and loves newspaper. She likes bees, folk-punk,...
Matt • Jul 23, 2015 at 7:06 pm
THANK YOU FOR THIS. I just got into a massive argument with my girlfriend because she kept saying we need to get rid of the rape of women, which i agreed with. I then went on to say “Why don’t we just get rid of all rape?” because i have many friends who are male who have been raped. She got really mad and retorted that theres more woman raped every year and so we should get rid of that. and this whole argument went on. I’m glad to see that feminists are actually about equality and getting rid of issues like this for EVERYONE not just women. I was seriously starting to get my doubts about feminism because i know many women who think feminism is about females being better than men.
Cole Schumacher • Mar 4, 2015 at 11:26 am
Lets be honest, 98 percent of the school is just laughing at this and not taking it serious
Ethan Tschanz • Mar 6, 2015 at 11:35 am
*drops mic*
Ross Hattan • Mar 3, 2015 at 8:22 pm
I agree with you when you say we should focus on issues of both genders, but unlike Christianity where I’m going to assume the majority go to church and treat people with respect rather than murder. I think the majority of feminists only want to focus on one gender, but if that majority changes in the future and more feminists focus on both genders I can see it becoming far more effective.
Ross Hattan • Mar 3, 2015 at 2:08 pm
I’m sorry, but both sexes cannot be equal by only focusing on the issues of one of them just the same as you can’t solve racism by focusing on the issues of one race. However, that does not mean feminism has not been needed in times of severe oppression or is not being needed in other countries around the world where women are truly being treated harshly, but in modern western civilization there are issues involving both men and women. Yes there are many cases where women are stereotyped or treated unfairly,BUT SO ARE MEN!! Men spend 40% more time in prison than women do for equivalent crimes. Men can be drafted into the military, but women cannot. Domestic violence against men is nearly as common as it is women, but it’s not taken as seriously by the police or media. In fact most men will refuse to fight back against their spouse with the worry they will hurt and/or kill them. Men have far less reproductive and custody rights than women and theres plenty more situations where main aren’t treated fairly in society today. Also what is feminism’s solution to solving rape and domestic violence exactly? Feminist’s can’t just list problems without a solution and act as though they’re solving them. Rape is considered one of the most evil and heinous acts one human can do to another and waving a poster with the words like “teach men not to rape” which implies all men are naturally rapists and that females aren’t even capable of rape. People are taught not to do drugs…people still do drugs….people are taught not to murder…..people still murder…..people are taught not to rape…people still rape. No matter how much you teach what is right and wrong there will still be those who will do it anyway and that’s something people have no control over. Can’t you just understand both genders have problems in society and that we need to focus on both issues instead of just one. I want equality for women, but I want equality for men as well.
Brianna Mathias • Mar 3, 2015 at 3:51 pm
“Feminism? No thanks, I prefer equality.”
“Water? No thanks, I prefer H2O.”
LOL how many times do we have to repeat what feminism is and what it covers?
Dylan Davis • Mar 3, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Why do you have to identify yourself as a feminist if you are fighting for equal rights of all genders? Why can’t you just advocate pro-equality? I have a hard time believing most of you “feminists” are truly fighting for what you say you are. Obviously men and women are never going to be completely equal which is something that some of you need to realize.
Brianna Mathias • Mar 3, 2015 at 7:15 pm
You don’t HAVE to identify as a feminist, all I’m saying is that feminism is supposed to be same thing as pro-equality. I fully understand that there are radicals who don’t fight for gender equality and give feminism a bad name, but what they fight for is not what feminism really is, and trust me, I wish they’d disappear too, but I think you’d realize that what most feminists want, and are fighting for is just equal opportunities as men. And who’s to say we’ll never be equal? It won’t happen in our lifetimes, probably not for decades, but why not have hope that someday there will be equality?
Ross Hattan • Mar 3, 2015 at 6:50 pm
The idea that both genders are equal by focusing on the issues of one of them doesn’t exactly sound like equality. I just haven’t seen very many feminists proclaim that men are stereotyped and treated unfairly in some cases also. I want what feminism wants(Gender Equality), but I don’t agree with how they’re trying to do it.
Brianna Mathias • Mar 3, 2015 at 7:28 pm
I understand what you’re saying. How I see it is it’s just like most groups or organizations or whatever: there are feminists that only focus on women and are radical, then there are feminists who focus on both genders, just like there are Christians who murder and lie as well as there are Christians who go to church and treat people with respect. I wish everyone in certain groups had the same ideals. As I see it, women are typically at a greater need for feminism, but I completely agree with you that men’s issues need to be addressed by the movement. And a lot actually are, but it’s not as prevalent in mainstream media.
Alex Feyerherm • Mar 3, 2015 at 8:08 pm
The problem is that feminists who focus on women only are not a minority in the feminist movement, nor are they really the “radical” ones either (“Radical” feminists are people like prominent feminist professor Sally Gearhart, who called for the male population to be reduced to about 10% of the human race, or professor Mary Daly, who also called for a mass reduction of males in the world and would refuse to teach any male students).
Feminism is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men” – so by definition, someone who advocates for both men and women is not a feminist. Egalitarianism would be a more fitting term for your “equality for all” rationale, defined by Oxford as “The doctrine that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.”
Keith Dryden • Mar 3, 2015 at 11:33 am
Title of the article says it should not be taken seriously yet you post an article of you ranting about it. Looks like you take it pretty serious to me?….
Ivan Anderson • Mar 3, 2015 at 1:39 pm
“Taken seriously” can be taken multiple different ways. Meninism started out as a twitter joke to parody the men’s rights movement and the “not all men” mentality. Folks taking meninism seriously IS an issue, because they’re feeding into the exact issue that was being satirized on twitter. Meninism as a concept should not be taken seriously, because it’s satire. Meninism as a movement should be criticized sternly because it’s harmful towards social rights movements, specifically feminism.
Alex Feyerherm • Mar 3, 2015 at 8:10 pm
There’s that fundamental misunderstanding of “satire” again…..
Ivan Anderson • Mar 8, 2015 at 4:56 pm
Do you even have a grasp of what satire is, then? #meninism was exaggerating men’s rights activists in a satirical way. The cringeworthy part is that men’s rights activists hopped on it and took it seriously.
Keith Dryden • Mar 3, 2015 at 11:28 am
Our school newspaper should just be gettin rid of.
Ivan Anderson • Mar 3, 2015 at 1:35 pm
Nah, I love it.
Dylan Davis • Mar 3, 2015 at 11:25 am
I full heartily support feminism!!! So many guys are huge noobs! They seriously have no respect for their woman and it makes me sick! When you get sick with testicular cancer who will be there to take care of you? Your wife will be the one that will be cooking your meals and spending a majority of her time in the kitchen working to serve you! Atleast that’s how it should be!! If there is a feminist movement at hays high I can tell you right now I’m at the forefront! Women should have the right to cook all day if they want to! If they want to spend all of their time in the kitchen they should be able to!
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 26, 2015 at 1:54 pm
I am making this comment to allow replies to both mine and Jacob’s replies above to “Ivan Anderson”
The guidon limits the reply chain so feel free to reply to this comment with the starting line of your reply stating which comment you are referring to.
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 26, 2015 at 1:57 pm
Keep in mind that I do not lump Jacob and I’s comments together as to generalize, as our opinions do differ slightly. Regardless, please respond to the above comment as though you were replying to any of those comments in that thread that you would otherwise be unable to.
Ivan Anderson • Feb 27, 2015 at 10:54 am
Alright, this is a little draining and annoying. I don’t like it when I’m being expected to respond to things that could possibly ruin my reputation or destabilize my own personal zen, but since you were polite enough to start a chain, I’ll go with it.
Also, someone did make a good point, and I’ll be providing credit for the information I supply.
Conrad Hoffman,
“I’m not making these comments because *I* am a meninist and I am defending a group of people that I am “part of.””
Okay, I’ll keep that in mind. Sorry if I made any generalizations in my previous comment.
“You mean to tell me that there don’t exist people who are men-haters and take sexism to the extreme?”
Actually, yes. “Men-haters” seem to be just that; people who hate men. I know from experience that a lot of these situations aren’t caused simply because those women just want to have a vendetta towards men. A lot of “I hate men” statements are a form of joking. Perhaps they are hurtful in the same way as those “get back in the kitchen” jokes I’m not so fond of, but there IS a difference between those two. One of those remarks was likely triggered by experiences dealing with sexism, which has been ingrained in our society for a very long time. Many women are victims of the patriarchy and may speak out against it using microaggressions. I’ll admit, I end up doing this a lot in the privacy of my own friend groups and my blog. This is not because I hate all men, but I hate men that I have had bad experiences with and have perpetrated harmful things in the context of internalized sexism. I’m NOT saying that radicals who use this sort of behavior to actively harm men are right in doing that. Physical violence and sexual violence are out of the question, definitely!
“That’s like saying that the women’s rights movement shouldn’t exist because, statistically, racism in the criminal justice system is a larger problem.”
Actually, I’m not saying this at all. I don’t see where it was construed, but I’m not going to make a judgement over that. These are problems that exist together, and even overlap. Women of color experience both racism and sexism and usually in more severe ways because of the different statuses in society they hold overlapping. Statistically, they both are prevalent enough to worry about separately and together.
Observe a closer look at the wage gap here to get an idea: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/09/18/3569328/gender-wage-gap-race/
“Never once have I said that speaking out against injustices done to you or you’re ethnic group is a bad thing. In fact, if you look at the feminism article, you will find a comment of me arguing against someone who literally was trying to silence the women’s-rights movement.”
I’ll take responsibility for that, it was my mistake. I was making a generalization of the meninist movement and my wording was really horrible. I’m sorry, thank you for pointing that out.
“Okay so then we are in agreement that it does exist. If there exists a problem in the world, no matter how small, then I don’t see the problem in a group existing to help that problem.”
This problem is minimal and nowhere near as important as the safety of rape victims, in my opinion. Rape victims are wronged by the legal system much too much for us to be cracking down even more on trying to shoot down their claims.
““silence rape victims”
At what point did I ever do that? Maybe you should read comments more carefully before you start slandering me and accusing me of something that terrible. Thanks, I don’t even know you, You need to calm down.”
What I mean by silencing rape victims, I explained above. Also, I didn’t intend to slander you, I’ll take responsibility for that as well. I get a little heated when it comes to social justice, truth be told.
“You saying “I’ll bet those men-haters are a pain sometimes” Is just as belittling as, yeah I bet those women-haters who rape women because of their power fantasies are a pain sometimes but get over it, because statistics. Just because women are statistically more oppressed, doesn’t mean that there aren’t men who are raped.”
I didn’t intend to come off that way. Rape and sexual abuse is a subject I am very close to, and I understand the trauma victims have to go through. I am not saying that men aren’t raped, and I even explained that earlier in my response. I’m not sure what you’re getting at in the former part of your response, but I’m pretty sure that most rape cases when it comes to male victims aren’t perpetrated by radical man-haters. There’s a lot of circumstances that lead up to rape and women can be just as evil as men are portrayed by “radicals”.
“Imagine if a man who was raped read your comment and came off with the idea that he shouldn’t fight for equality for stereotypes against men because statistically more women are raped than men and that he should just get over it. That is messed up on an extreme level.”
Yes, but I went over this in my previous response. Men being raped is still an issue that is covered by feminism. These stereotypes against men are perpetrated by patriarchal ideas of femininity and masculinity. I would say feminism isn’t as much empowering women as it is challenging society’s view of what femininity really is. Speaking from experience, I think that any rape victim should fight for the rights of any other rape victim, whether they are male, female, or neither.
Jacob Balzer,
“You’re not oppressed. You are just fed up about several things that, in the long run, are not as much of a problem as you try to make it out to be.”
Oh boy, I’m not even going to bother with this one.
“Nobody is treating women in a harsh manner.”
That is very incorrect. I recommend you do some research on rape statistics, domestic abuse, et cetera.
““rather than trying to silence rape victims?” Oh sweet Jesus please tell me you don’t actually believe this? Do you actually think meninists are trying to “silence rape victims?” Well then. I cannot begin to describe how incorrect THAT statement is.”
Did you bother to read the context I said that in? I’m pretty sure everything there explains why I think meninists more concerned with men being wrongly accused of rape rather than women rape victims who are notoriously shut down when they try to speak up about their trauma and even male rape victims who can also be victims of this system due to harmful stereotypes of masculinity.
“Sigh, only heard this argument a few hundred times by feminists trying to compare two things so radically different, and completely disregarding the difference in cultures between two civilizations 15 CENTURIES away from each other. Why not just compare the neanderthals culture to that of the ancient Romans? Same idea. I could go on and on about why this statement is unjustifiable if you’d like, but I’ll move on to save both myself and you time.”
Yes, I’m aware. There have even been matriarchal societies out there. The matter of how common cultures that perpetrate harmfulness towards femininity is what I’m talking about, especially considering how the majority of people who will be reading this are white Europeans, who are a prime example of patriarchal history.
““It was proven in a court case after his death that his assassination was indeed a government conspiracy.” WHOA WHOA WHOA! WHAT?! WHAT?! HOLY CRAP GUYS! ITS A MIRACLE! WHO’S NEXT?! JFK?! ABRAHAM!? THE TWIN TOWERS?! In all seriousness, I want a source on that. I’m actually dying right now.”
Thanks for making fun of me before even attempting to educate yourself.
http://www.thekingcenter.org/assassination-conspiracy-trial
http://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/09/us/memphis-jury-sees-conspiracy-in-martin-luther-king-s-killing.html
“Actually can I get a source on ALL of your statistics? I’d like to see the numbers you’re currently pulling out about rape on a legitimate psychology website, or really anything if you can find it.”
Sure, no problem.
https://rainn.org/statistics
http://www.rccmsc.org/resources/get-the-facts.aspx
“Uh… no… no one is praised for being raped… at least not the vast majority of men. Maybe once in a while, yes, a man may be praised for it, but that would only happen when the people praising are not informed of the situation. Do you actually see someone saying, “Congrats on being raped man!””
What I’m saying here is: men are not shamed for [the sex] and are instead praised for “getting laid”, because of stereotypes of masculinity, a LOT of people don’t think it’s capable to rape men, because men are “not supposed to be vulnerable or victimized”.
““(especially heterosexual cisgendered white men of reasonable fortune)” Ok, you win. I’m indeed dumber than you.”
Chill, I’m being inclusive.
“Not very sorry if I offended you.”
I’m laughing.
Alanna Hansen • Feb 25, 2015 at 2:44 pm
why in the heck does everyone care so dang much about this, you are calling attention to something that wasn’t even a real problem here until you started to complain about other people’s opinions
Brianna Mathias • Feb 25, 2015 at 9:18 pm
Alanna, I think it’s super awesome for people to be aware of these issues. It’s totally rad for people to care a lot about things like this even if it doesn’t directly affect them. Honestly I think calling attention to societal issues is very important. It brings good discussion among students and staff, sometimes parents and other community members. I think people really should care about these topics and form opinions about them. I love putting out these silly little wake up calls! They obviously encourage people to think for themselves and stand up for something. And I know this one kind of exploded, and some people are getting way too worked up, but yeah, like I already said, it’s cool that people are learning from this and discussing their opinions. We all have a right to disagree with people. I have a right to post how I feel, to express my feelings about a group of people, and everyone has the right to disagree with me, I’m okay with this. And it’s totally okay for us immature high school students to make a big deal about silly stuff like this because we’re learning and experiencing new things, exploring new topics. I don’t know about anyone else, but IN MY OPINION, this crazy little discussion in the comments section of a silly article is a pretty cool thing.
Brianna Mathias • Feb 25, 2015 at 9:38 pm
And just for the record, meninism was a problem here before this article. Not that many people really knew about it, but still, it was an issue. There were feminists at our school that were being harassed by “meninists.”
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 26, 2015 at 11:58 am
So obviously then everyone who uses the name meninism harasses feminists. Not like there are some “mininists” who use satire to support equal rights on both sides. People have the right to call themselves what ever they want and they should be afforded the same rights to label themselves as feminists have.
Alex Feyerherm • Feb 25, 2015 at 11:43 am
So, legitimate question….Polls show that about 23% of women identify themselves as feminists. I assume that all women care about their rights, so why is this number so low? Could that figure be an indication of gender oppression being slightly overblown by some?
Now to be clear, I do not identify myself as a member of either side of this argument, nor am I advocating for either side in this discussion. I believe that there is a certain degree of gender inequality in our society, but I really contest the degree of this inequality – the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Max Stieben • Feb 24, 2015 at 8:17 pm
Reading this opinion along with all the comments made me feel like I just watched MSNBC and FOX News report over the same story.
Rachelle • Feb 25, 2015 at 9:13 am
Funny, but truthful!
Anonymous • Feb 24, 2015 at 11:01 am
“Feminism. A movement so misunderstood to a point where it is still all about men.”
Rachel Ann • Feb 24, 2015 at 11:37 am
Exactly.
Jacob Balzer • Feb 24, 2015 at 11:49 am
And whose fault is that?
Jasmine Lawson • Feb 24, 2015 at 1:06 pm
Yeah because feminists want the meaning of feminism to be twisted into something that is completely contradicting to what they believe.
Rachelle • Feb 24, 2015 at 3:06 pm
I agree!!!!!!!!!!!
Taylor • Feb 24, 2015 at 10:12 am
Maybe the guys want to have a group for themselves. All you usually hear about from feminists are woman’s equal rights. Maybe the guys just want a group where they can make their points of view to be at the forefront of people’s minds not just woman’s rights like feminism is.
Madison Crees • Feb 25, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Yes, it may focus on certain viewpoints of woman’s rights, but it is classified as an equal rights movement. Men, women, dogs, and cats alike are included. Some people do not focus as intensly on the equality portion of it, but those of us who do can not help that. Recognizing what it is supposed to be is what matters in this situation.
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 26, 2015 at 2:31 pm
Which is why, what I think this all boils down to, is that what matters is not what names people use to call themselves, and rather the beliefs that the individual has.
I doesn’t matter if a person calls them self a menninist, a feminist, a doginist or a catinist. What matters is that they value equality. Nothing more, nothing less.
Which is why, (as we come full circle) Slamming an entire label is harmful because you are attacking a name and not a belief.
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 24, 2015 at 8:23 am
I… I think I understand what you are trying to say…
Thanks you too?
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 26, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Comment that this was in reply to must have been deleted.
Disregard the above.
Jasmine Lawson • Feb 23, 2015 at 9:43 pm
Okay so if meninists believe in equal rights, and support everything that feminist do then what is the point of giving yourself a different title? Why not just call yourself a feminist? You might be against radical feminists but there are radicals in pretty much everything. It’s sad that the meaning of a movement gets lost just because people focus only on the radicals.
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 24, 2015 at 8:21 am
While were at it why don’t we just get rid of the tittles all together and just, ya know, support equal rights without having to put a label on yourself.
While meninists support the same thing feminists do in the sense of equality, the idea is that they point out some of the inequalities that have happened as a result of “reverse-bias”. For example, when women’s rights because such a large deal, men started to be unfairly judged in rape cases. Meninists would point to the many rape cases where men have been falsely brought to court by radical feminists abusing the criminal justice system.
While I’m sure a true feminist wouldn’t support this, it’s right in the name of the “group” that feminism focuses on women’s rights as opposed to men. So a guarentee you wont see any posts on a feminist forum defending that guy who spent 2k on lawyer fees because some crazy “men-hater” decided that he doesn’t deserve his job.
If both groups are for the same goal. What is the issue?
Jasmine Lawson • Feb 24, 2015 at 11:35 am
The issue is that the mass majority of people supporting meninism, that I’ve seen anyway, are not supporting the cause for the same reasons that you are. They use it as an excuse to upset “feminists”. (Yes I do realize my focusing on these people can technically be the same thing as focusing on the radicals but hear me out.) Even if they are joking there comes a where it needs to stop, especially if you’re offending people. The group’s name does not restrict what it focuses on. It was named this because women were the ones in need at the time. But since then things are not nearly as bad as they use to be it has been able to broaden their focus. I see your point on titles,but think the titles are to help bring focus to issues.
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 26, 2015 at 2:37 pm
*If* the mass majority of people using the meninist label are using it for harmful purposes, which is an assumption, then that doesn’t change the fact that some people use it for legitimate points.
Specificity is key when making an opinion attacking a specific group of people that is causing a problem.
Just saying that “Meninism should not be taken seriously” gets the legitimate points caught that scope.
The article should be, “people who use meninism harmfully should not be taken seriously.” That is more specific and doesn’t generalize. That is also something that I’m sure no sensible person disagrees with.
Rachel Ann • Feb 24, 2015 at 11:45 am
I am at least 90% sure that the percentage of men falsely accused of rape is A LOT lower than the percentage of women who ARE raped.
Both groups are not for the same goal.
Lexie Reinhardt • Feb 24, 2015 at 6:29 pm
RACHEL OMG YES THIS 100000000 TIMES THIS. Although I see where he is coming from but LOL yes
Jacob Balzer • Feb 24, 2015 at 8:25 am
Yes, I cannot speak for “meninists,” but as a man who is not too particularly fond of any kind of radical, I can assure you I agree with the reasonable feminists in the fact that equal rights for both genders should be sought. Now, we differ opinions on many other things, but that is true. However, that is not the point, these people give themselves a different name because they’re main focus of the group is not equal rights, its keeping any kind of radical feminist in check (which in itself is not so justifiable). It would be no different than if the democrats made a political party to bat heads with the Tea Party, a bunch of radical republicans.
“It’s sad that the meaning of a movement gets lost just because people focus only on the radicals.” This is true, and I agree. I’m personally against creating a name and group with the purpose of degrading other people, even I’m personally not too fond of those people. Hence, I too think “meninism” should end, however, I think calling this out should have been executed very differently.
/rant
Did my best to answer your question.
Lexie Reinhardt • Feb 24, 2015 at 6:31 pm
100% agree with Jacob
Madison Crees • Feb 25, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Very nicely said, Jake.
Victor Oladipo • Feb 23, 2015 at 4:52 pm
Aye…..There seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding of what “satire” means. …
Alex Feyerherm • Feb 23, 2015 at 5:16 pm
Agreed. I guess there aren’t many Jon Stewart fans in here =[
Darrick Doeschot • Feb 23, 2015 at 9:06 pm
Actually, for the record, a satire is not, characteristically speaking, solely based on humor. A satire is better explained as a joke with actual implications, Meninism is meant as a backlash against radical feminism which tries to paint men as if they are evil, or stupid, or possible both. Yes, it is a satire, but it’s also meant to address an actual serious issue.
Alex Feyerherm • Feb 24, 2015 at 11:24 am
Exactly, satire does not automatically mean “not serious.” In many cases, it addresses serious issues, but by means of comedy – Jon Stewart’s show being a perfect example.
Lexie Reinhardt • Feb 24, 2015 at 1:20 pm
Wait, what serious issue are they trying to adress other than posting sexist jokes on twitter and having people take it way too seriously?
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 26, 2015 at 9:47 am
There are people who use the meninist label to point out inequalities that exist towards men.
Why is there anything wrong with equality existing on both sides so that men rape victims aren’t subject to the stereotype that “Men can’t be raped”
Just because “feminism covers that” doesn’t mean that there can’t be people who can use satire to point out that inequality as well.
Jacob Balzer • Feb 24, 2015 at 8:18 am
I love you so much for mentioning this.
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 24, 2015 at 8:22 am
While I’m sure that meninism *started out* as a satire, that doesn’t mean that people can’t take the name to stand for something that has a real point.
Lexie Reinhardt • Feb 24, 2015 at 6:27 pm
Yes, but they haven’t yet. So far its just a bunch of teens, most of which have no idea what feminism is and uses it to attack those who are feminist
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 26, 2015 at 9:48 am
I don’t think you can accurately state, that everyone who uses that name, uses it for attacking feminism.
Brianna Mathias • Feb 23, 2015 at 4:36 pm
This is the opinion section, man. Just putting out my point of view.
Rachel Ann • Feb 24, 2015 at 11:40 am
Just because YOU’RE offended doesn’t mean you’re right either “Abraham Lincoln”
I’d like to be honest and say at least Brianna used her actual name, not a fake one.
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 26, 2015 at 9:44 am
“You are not entitled to your opinion, you are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant”
-Harlan Ellison
Maybe, before attacking a satire, you should check to make sure an equality movement isn’t collateral damage.
Adam O'Connor • Mar 1, 2015 at 1:33 am
See you can defend yourself by saying your just giving your opinion, but that doesn’t give you the write to call anyone who says the word meninist is really being so people like Conrad Hoffmann who scored above a 30 on the ACT unintelligent. I have problems with this and Conrad Hoffmann pointed out he is neither a meninist himself or does he support their beliefs all you have is create an article that may not be poorly written, but you the author give radical evidence to support your opinion. There is so many blaring issues with this article that I don’t feel it deserves my time to reply. Though to make it short you can ignore the subject and not take it seriously because I feel this article was only written because a student was seen wearing a #meninist shirt. Which is just the same as someone wearing a shirt with a band on it that I necessarily don’t like, but I continue you on with my day. Also some tweets posted by the account I agree with or feel have happened to me myself and they are not too far fetched to believe that they’re true so don’t call me an idiot for agreeing with someone’s comments. Since you do have a lot of power in our school newspaper I feel that you first don’t deserve it after this article and others I have seen, but that you don’t give two sides to the story which isn’t fair. I hope you have a nice day or since you are so oppressed I guess that’s impossible.
Brianna Mathias • Mar 1, 2015 at 2:46 pm
Um, I didn’t understand a majority of this comment because it was so poorly written. But man, listen, just because I have an unpopular opinion and you disagree doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be able to write what I want and post it. So don’t even go there! It was my article, therefore I had the power to choose the angle I took. I’m sorry that a good majority of the school hates my opinions, but you know what? I’m going to continue writing them!
See, I’m very pro- do whatever you want unless you’re hurting people, and people were being hurt so I wrote about what I knew about the whole meninism movement, AND TO THOSE CALLING ME IGNORANT: I did my research. I’m sorry I worded it wrong. I know there are people using meninism as satire trying to boost equality, which is fine, but also kinda annoying and not really doing much except making people angry (IN MY OPINION OF COURSE). I was mainly bashing those who have been using meninism to complain and hurt women.
Ivan Anderson • Mar 2, 2015 at 3:12 pm
“but you the author give radical evidence to support your opinion”
this reminds me of that one satire where george bush is talking about global warming and he’s like “those liberals are trying to say global warming exists with their SCIENCE and FACTS” and then the cameraman is like “george, you can’t say facts. you can’t let them know they’re facts”
and im just imagining someone being like “curse those social justice warriors and their scientific facts and statistics being used to prove their points!”
Ivan Anderson • Feb 23, 2015 at 2:52 pm
I’m glad this was addressed here, especially with how many boys in this school I hear talking about how oppressed they are for “having to hold doors open for girls” and “not be able to hit girls back”. Kudos to you, and a some terrifying witches cackling noises towards anyone calling you ignorant for debunking a satire too many people took a little too seriously.
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 24, 2015 at 8:34 am
Guys who say those things, for sure are at least a little joking. But there are people who use that name as a legitimate label for people who make sure that men aren’t being subjected to reverse bias.
Read down below where I talk about examples of that.
The article doesn’t account for people like that. Wait. It does. But it says that they only exist to counter feminism. She makes large sweeping statements about the people who call themselves meninists which flat aren’t true. Which speaks volumes about the writer because she automatically assumes that because a group name happens to be based in the opposite gender that it exists to counter the other group name.
Ivan Anderson • Feb 24, 2015 at 6:06 pm
Reverse sexism literally does not exist; just like reverse racism does not exist, heterophobia does not exist, and cisphobia does not exist. In the United States, men are not being discriminated against. Sexism (towards women) has a long and brutal history, whereas “sexism” towards men seems to only exist in the case of “radical man-hating feminists”. That bias is not a problem at all. It’s the same as a gay person saying “wow, I hate straight people”. You want to know why that is? Straight people discriminate against gays, killing them even. Women have a long history in which they’ve been given a really sharp end of the stick by patriarchal society for HUNDREDS OF YEARS.
Meninism, even if it was a serious movement, simply should not exist. Men don’t need their own personal little movement, because the whole world is their movement. Men have been the priority for hundreds of years. The government is catered to men, careers and the economy are catered to men. What is the point of trying to “balance out” something that is already SEVERELY unbalanced in the favor of the patriarchy?
“While were at it why don’t we just get rid of the tittles all together and just, ya know, support equal rights without having to put a label on yourself.”
Oh wow, why haven’t I ever thought of this before! Maybe because it’s a method that’s been largely stomped all over through history. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for non-violent ways to secure rights for black Americans. It was proven in a court case after his death that his assassination was indeed a government conspiracy. Even after he advocated so strongly that we should not “fight fire with fire”. That will literally do nothing for the feminist movement or “equality”. You’re just trying to silence an oppressed group.
“For example, when women’s rights because such a large deal, men started to be unfairly judged in rape cases.”
Only 2% of rape allegations are false; the same amount of false reports for just about any other crime. Did you know that over 50% of rapes are not reported? Did you know that out of every 100 rapists who have been proven to have committed the crime, only three actually face any prison time for it? Only 6% of REAL RAPISTS are punished with jail time. 1 out of 6 women in America are victims of rape. 9 out of 10 rape victims are women.
You want to know something actually IMPORTANT that you could focus on rather than trying to silence rape victims?
1 in 33 men are victims of rape. When women are victims of rape, the typical response from society is questioning what she was wearing, whether she was under the influence, and whether she DESERVED TO BE RAPED. What about when men are raped? They are praised for it; they are not shamed for the circumstances leading up to it. This concept itself speaks numbers about inequality involving men and women, but this is also an issue for men. (Guess what? Feminists who actually know what they’re talking about care about this issue too, and it is included in the spectrum of issues feminism attempts to bring awareness to.) This behavior towards men who have experienced trauma from rape grates the ears just about as much as it hurts the woman rape victim to hear she was just “being a slut”. Because of society’s favor turned towards masculinity (and one of the factors of femininity seeming to be vulnerability), when men are victimized and made to feel or seem vulnerable, they aren’t being considered as masculine. It is frowned upon in society for men to be feminine. This is why a large percentage of men who are raped are afraid to report their rapes. It threatens society’s box of what masculinity is.
The world, especially the United States, caters toward men because of their masculinity. Perhaps men (especially heterosexual cisgendered white men of reasonable fortune) just don’t know what it’s truly like to be discriminated against for something you had no control over; something you can’t change no matter how much you want to. Yeah, I’ll bet those man-haters are a pain sometimes, but try existing in a world where countless statistics confirm that the current of our MASS society doesn’t flow with you, but against you.
Lexie Reinhardt • Feb 24, 2015 at 6:34 pm
I CHANGED MY MIND THIS IS THE BEST COMMENT OH MY GOD YAAAAAAS
Rachel Ann • Feb 25, 2015 at 11:10 am
Very nice Ivan. *claps*
Sophia Moore • Feb 25, 2015 at 2:35 pm
mic drop
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 26, 2015 at 9:41 am
Let’s be clear first off of my reason for posting these comments:
I’m not making these comments because *I* am a meninist and I am defending a group of people that I am “part of.” I am posting these because the article above makes large, inaccurate, and uninformed statements about a specific label that people use, and assumes that everyone who uses that label uses it for a specific nefarious purpose.
“Reverse sexism literally does not exist…”
You mean to tell me that there don’t exist people who are men-haters and take sexism to the extreme? Because you speak to the contrary later in your comment. Reverse sexism doesn’t have to exist on the macro scale in order for it not to exist at all. Just because one problem exists as a statistically larger problem doesn’t mean that the other problem doesn’t exist. That’s like saying that the women’s rights movement shouldn’t exist because, statistically, racism in the criminal justice system is a larger problem. Even if it’s a small problem, *it’s still a problem*
“Meninism, even if it was a serious movement, simply should not exist…”
This paragraph seems to imply that you have a very black and white way of thinking about societal problems in general. Societal problems are much more complex than just, “men v.s. women” The problem is more akin to, “sensible women and sensible men, vs, sexist men and sexist women” All these things you cite as being “catered” to men exist because of an underlying sexism on an individual level. If you want to change the systems you must change the ideas that people hold. Why is it such a bad thing that men have a movement to point out sexism towards men (Which does exist, even if it is statistically smaller) just as women have a movement to point out sexism towards women.
“Oh wow, why haven’t I ever thought of this before!…”
Okay I don’t understand what you’re driving at here, we’re talking about labels and names here, not non-violent and militant forms of societal change.
“You’re just trying to silence an oppressed group”
WOAH WOAH WOAH THERE. I would like to direct you to my multiple comment that say *nothing* against feminism or me advocating, in ANY WAY censorship or silencing an oppressed group. Never once have I said that speaking out against injustices done to you or you’re ethnic group is a bad thing. In fact, if you look at the feminism article, you will find a comment of me arguing against someone who literally was trying to silence the women’s-rights movement.
“Only 2% of rape allegations are false…”
Okay so then we are in agreement that it does exist. If there exists a problem in the world, no matter how small, then I don’t see the problem in a group existing to help that problem. All the other statistics you cite are just more supporting women’s fight for equality, which I already stated above, that I whole heartedly support. If I were a more eccentric person, my beliefs would literally align with feminism to the point where I could call myself a feminist
“silence rape victims”
At what point did I ever do that? Maybe you should read comments more carefully before you start slandering me and accusing me of something that terrible. Thanks, I don’t even know you, You need to calm down.
“1 in 33 men are victims of rape”
This entire paragraph is something who has the labels themselves a meninist could have in their manifesto statement. I understand that a person who calls themselves a feminist also supports the idea.
*So then why can’t someone who calls themselves a meninist also support the same things a feminist does*
Why do so many people feel the need to get up in arms over something that is simply another name for the equality movement, that only differs by it’s slight preference towards focusing on another facet of inequality
“The world, especially the United States…”
You saying “I’ll bet those men-haters are a pain sometimes” Is just as belittling as, yeah I bet those women-haters who rape women because of their power fantasies are a pain sometimes but get over it, because statistics. Just because women are statistically more oppressed, doesn’t mean that there aren’t men who are raped.
If your entire argument is, this shouldn’t exist because statistics, that is extremely harmful.
Imagine if a man who was raped read your comment and came off with the idea that he shouldn’t fight for equality for stereotypes against men because statistically more women are raped than men and that he should just get over it. That is messed up on an extreme level.
Jacob Balzer • Feb 26, 2015 at 11:36 am
Ha, Ok, I realize this is your opinion, and I’m not going to discredit it, but what I will do is point out some of the more, uh, radical things you said, excluding the blanket statement “all of it.” Also I will include some of the blatantly wrong things you said as well. I won’t write my opinion, because Conrad is already doing that.
1. “You’re just trying to silence an oppressed group.” You’re not oppressed. You are just fed up about several things that, in the long run, are not as much of a problem as you try to make it out to be. In fact, the definition of oppressed: “subject to harsh and authoritarian treatment.” Nobody is treating you in a harsh manner. Nobody is treating women in a harsh manner. There might be differences in the way men and women are treated in a court of law, which can be taken both for and against your argument I might add, but I assure you no sane, normal man is oppressing women.
2. “rather than trying to silence rape victims?” Oh sweet Jesus please tell me you don’t actually believe this? Do you actually think meninists are trying to “silence rape victims?” Well then. I cannot begin to describe how incorrect THAT statement is.
3. “Women have a long history in which they’ve been given a really sharp end of the stick by patriarchal society for HUNDREDS OF YEARS.” Sigh, only heard this argument a few hundred times by feminists trying to compare two things so radically different, and completely disregarding the difference in cultures between two civilizations 15 CENTURIES away from each other. Why not just compare the neanderthals culture to that of the ancient Romans? Same idea. I could go on and on about why this statement is unjustifiable if you’d like, but I’ll move on to save both myself and you time.
4. “It was proven in a court case after his death that his assassination was indeed a government conspiracy.” WHOA WHOA WHOA! WHAT?! WHAT?! HOLY CRAP GUYS! ITS A MIRACLE! WHO’S NEXT?! JFK?! ABRAHAM!? THE TWIN TOWERS?! In all seriousness, I want a source on that. I’m actually dying right now.
5. Actually can I get a source on ALL of your statistics? I’d like to see the numbers you’re currently pulling out about rape on a legitimate psychology website, or really anything if you can find it.
6. “What about when men are raped? They are praised for it; they are not shamed for the circumstances leading up to it.” Uh… no… no one is praised for being raped… at least not the vast majority of men. Maybe once in a while, yes, a man may be praised for it, but that would only happen when the people praising are not informed of the situation. Do you actually see someone saying, “Congrats on being raped man!”
7. “The world, especially the United States, caters toward men because of their masculinity.” That is… not entirely wrong, but slightly wrong. There are things that will be easier because I am a man. But most of that has to do with the fact my body is larger and built for different things, not due to other peoples’ gender biased opinions and actions.
8. “(especially heterosexual cisgendered white men of reasonable fortune)” Ok, you win. I’m indeed dumber than you.
That’s about it.
Not very sorry if I offended you.
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 23, 2015 at 2:09 pm
Also I’m pretty sure that “meninists” aren’t against feminism, they are against radical feminists, or men haters, who call themselves feminists. Maybe you should understand the other side of an argument before you write a scathing article bashing people.
Even if you think it’s satirical, you even mention that some people take it seriously. Might be a good idea to understand where they are coming from in order to form an educated opinion.
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 23, 2015 at 2:05 pm
You know what’s a good way to make an issue quiet down? Writing an article on the school newspaper’s website about it.
Rachel Ann • Feb 23, 2015 at 1:52 pm
“Abraham Lincoln”
You obviously can’t read.
Jacob Balzer • Feb 24, 2015 at 8:17 am
*I’m
Rachel Ann • Feb 24, 2015 at 11:34 am
I mean to say that you can’t read that the whole meninism crap WAS CREATED AS A JOKE.
Alex Feyerherm • Feb 23, 2015 at 1:38 pm
Yikes. Total conjecture.
Abraham Lincoln • Feb 23, 2015 at 1:32 pm
I’m disappointed with how you ignorantly swatted down a group of people seeking equality.
Chelsey Augustine • Feb 23, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Hypocritical much?
Lexie Reinhardt • Feb 24, 2015 at 1:17 pm
LOL That’s literally what the whole Meninist movement did to feminism
Jacob Balzer • Feb 24, 2015 at 8:16 am
Oh lord, your reply made me cringe. This is the very essence of hypocrisy…