Men are tweeting moments when they took a stand against misogyny—and it will restore your faith in humanity
Sometimes, it seems as though misogyny is both insidious and unstoppable. In addition to issues like the gender wage gap and a lack of guaranteed paid maternity leave, women frequently face everything from sexual harassment and micro-aggressions on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are men out there ready and willing to serve as allies when it comes to fighting misogyny, and they’ve been asked to share their stories via a viral twitter thread. Twitter user @emrazz started the conversation with a March 2nd tweet addressed to the “good guys” of the world.
"Good guys: tell me about a time you saw misogyny or predatory behavior in action and spoke up?" she tweeted. "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? What are your suggestions for other men in this situation? #NotCoolMan
— feminist next door (@emrazz) March 3, 2019
The responses came pouring in. As of this morning, March 4th, the tweet had received more than 850 replies and almost 5,000 likes. The stories men shared ranged from telling a friend not to whistle at women to helping someone get home safely. No matter the situation, each anecdote serves as an example of how men can leverage their privilege to make meaningful change.
My best friend whistled at a girl and I told him to cut it out, he was being aggressive. I think I insulted him and I felt bad, but he needed to hear that
— Jason ❄️ (@ancatdubh2) March 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1102071523991379970
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I call out my high school students all the time. They respect me for some reason 🤷🏽♂️. I explain what it looks like to basically every one else and ask them if that was their intent. They get really uncomfortable, and I usually never hear it again, or they start catching themselves
— AJ Sisneros ❤️ (@reepicheep37) March 3, 2019
At a church fair, my then 3-year-old son wanted to enter a raffle for a purse. He dropped his tickets in & a man stopped him and said "Son, that's only for girls." I told him purses are portable storage & don't have assigned sexes & to stop spreading harmful messages.
— Reproductive rights are human rights (@DaddyFiles) March 3, 2019
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Several pointed out that pointing out misogyny doesn’t have to involve confrontation.
I've found simply not laughing at stupid sexist jokes can be powerful. There is always a moment after a "joke" where they look for approval and validation from your laughter or at least an approving smile. Don't give it to them. Let them feel awkward and stupid.
— Benjamin T. Jones (@DrBenjaminJones) March 3, 2019
Most of the time, yes it happens a lot, if you just engage with the woman in a friendly way the guy moves on
Other times you say “hey man, she’s not into it”
Last resort you step between and say “hold up! Stop!”In high school i got into scuffles but that hasn’t happened since
— Diedrich Bader (@bader_diedrich) March 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1102074945931112448
And some took action even though they were scared.
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Women also weighed in, sharing stories of how they supported other women.
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
— feminist next door (@emrazz) March 3, 2019
I always get up and sit next to a woman if she's being harassed on public transit by a man. I start up a convo as if I know her from somewhere and I ask how her family is. Never had a problem.
— genevieve hunt (@greengoddess892) March 3, 2019
Some might argue that this thread is celebrating men for merely doing what should be expected of everyone—aka just being decent human beings. However, we unfortunately live in a world where we can’t take human decency for granted, so it’s heartening to know that allyship does exist. Because the world needs it.
