Taking on more MRA/MGTOW Stuff

EDIT: allow me to state, very clearly and for the record, that I mislabeled the author of Gentleman’s Foundry as a MGTOW/MRA. I wish to make it clear that he is not associated with either group, and I apologise for suggesting he was.

This entry looks at a take on feminism. In this instance, I’m taking a look at a post on a site called ‘Gentleman’s Foundry’. One that speaks about feminism.

Since I don’t have a name for the author, I guess ‘Gentleman’ will have to do for now. Where I am quoting him the posts will be in pink (handy, since he does this himself when he quotes someone), and where he quotes someone else, the writing will be in green. Initially Gentleman is quoting from here.

I am tired. Tired of constantly having to defend my beliefs as if they were as radical and faulty as Nazism.  You and me both, sister.  Except I’m actually targeted for violence, and told I’m unwelcome because of my skin color and assumed gender.  I am not even permitted a “groupthink” with my group.  In fact, if white men coalesce in any sense, it is inherently racist.

What are we looking at here? The white man persecution idea? I’m not aware of a systematic, institutionalised pattern of violence against white men – are white men more likely to be shot and killed by police in the US? No, black people are 2.5 times more likely to be killed. In fact, when you consider unarmed killings… and I quote:

U.S. police officers have shot and killed the exact same number of unarmed white people as they have unarmed black people: 50 each. But because the white population is approximately five times larger than the black population, that means unarmed black Americans were five times as likely as unarmed white Americans to be shot and killed by a police officer.

What about because of gender? It’s true that men are more likely to be victims of violent crime, but then, men are more likely to commit violent crime as well.

Feminism argues for gender equality. Liberal Feminism wants equality through laws and institutions, and Radical Feminism wants equality by abolishing gender roles.  Bullshit.  I’ve read countless things (see Joy of Feminism) where feminists actively advocate for increase in state funded assistance.  That is almost an expected gender role.  Be provided for, instead of being the provider.  It is humiliating to the sex (or should be.)  Feminism never argues gender equality.  It constantly pushes the narrative that, somehow, women have a really hard time in the West.  Yet it never mentions male:female ratios when it comes to homicide, aids, war, suicide, police shootings, marriage law, or (even recently) degrees earned.  Never.  It constantly pushes the idea that men, especially the pale ones, are this oppressive patriarchy.  Despite the fact we die all the time in real life and on TV, and no one cares.  Despite the fact we have to register for the selective service, whether we want to or not, just to apply for loans to go to school.

Actually, feminism does argue for equality. Are there self-described feminists out there who make different arguments? Yes, but feminism is not a monolithic entity. MRAs love to nit-pick when discussing feminism, whilst glossing over the very real statistics on things like rape. Then there’s little details around things like sentencing – which across the world remains poor. Victim-blaming/shaming remains very real. Four-years in New Zealand. Part suspension of sentences in Ireland. The infamous Brock Turner case.

I’m just scratching the tip of the iceberg here.

When it comes to war, it has long been held up as a ‘manly’ thing to do, and many countries would go as far as to forbid ‘weak’ women from serving in any capacity. That attitude is slowly changing, but in short, don’t blame feminism for the attitudes that saw men feel it was their duty to fight. The same applies to male suicide – and instead of blaming women/feminism for it, stop to actually tackle the root cause – expectations that men shouldn’t show emotion, or weakness, and bottle everything up, are, once again, not feminist ideas.

Radical feminism, actually advocates for murdering all men and male babies.  That isn’t an abolition of gender roles, that is a violent expression and elimination of ONE gender role.

Besides, the gender roles have nothing to do with biology.  Statistically, violent criminals are males.  Is that a gender role?  Do you want equal representation there?  Or will you admit that men and women are different in some way that might give rise to different life choices?

If you don’t think men and women have distinctly different biology and that hormones have no play in your life…just wait until you have that special time.  You’ll be begging for estrogen supplements to avoid looking/feeling like a man.

Taking the most extreme end of radical feminism is that treating ISIS as the only example of how Muslims behave, or the KKK as the only example of Christianity. It’s absurd.

How can anyone argue about the role biology apparently plays, then decry the patriarchal ideals that maintain biological roles?!

Feminism has become a dirty word because, arguably, men have it much worse statistically than women.  So when feminists emerge wanting more “equality,” yeah it burns a little.  We already make up 90% of workplace deaths.  You want some of that pie?  How about you go fight in the next world war, in the reverse ratio as the last one.  How about you tell your daughter she has to consent to die in war, if she wants to go to college.  How about you grow up in a society where you are expected to be strong, bad, good, tall-dark-handsome, and inherently wealthy because the provision of the family falls squarely on your shoulders?  All while not being permitted to form groups, or express emotion.  Go ahead.  Try it.

Feminism isn’t responsible for the historical, patriarchal thinking that saw women forbade from certain roles. Feminism isn’t responsible for the expectations of masculinity and men being unable to express their feelings. Gentleman’s ire is directed in the wrong direction.

You are getting push-back because…guess what…you’ve reached equilibrium, more or less.  Some MRA’s might say it has skewed too far the opposite way.  I say it hasn’t.  I’m willing to die for my wife, to provide for her and our kids.  I’m willing to sign up for war to protect my country, and I’m willing to take on the increase risks of death, disease, and shorter life expectancy because I’M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

I’m willing to fight for my family too. I am also willing to fight for equality.

I have some news for those who don’t call themselves feminists: if you believe in equality, if you believe that all humans are created equal and should be treated equal and given the same possibilities in life, you are a feminist. No, I’m a egalitarian or humanist.  A feminist recognises that the world is inequal in the favour to rich white cis straight men, and believes that this is unfair.  Which is why it is complete bullshit.  Because it isn’t.  To declare someone has some unfair advantage due to a cumulative and divisive categorical assignment is evil.  Race, sexuality, and gender are not points in which someone can advocate for special punishment or expectation.  Not anymore.  I’m sorry, but this type of thinking is outdated and morally corrupt.

People do advocate for different treatment for women, the LGBT community and race, all the time, usually in the form of subtle (or not-so-subtle) oppression or denial of rights. Wanting equality for these groups is not evil.