Twitter #yesallwomen goes viral

Western feminist movement gains momentum after fatal shooting in Isla Vista.

 

Twitter exploded this weekend when #YesAllWomen  went viral after a stabbing and a related drive-by shooting that killed six UCSB students and injured  thirteen. Soon after, the 22-year old former student and would-be murderer, Elliot Rodgers, took his own life.

Rodgers left a final video on Youtube (which has since been deleted) and a 138-page manifesto, filled with sexist and racist content that gives insight into Rogers motivation.

Rodgers called his May 23rd attack a pent-up “revenge against humanity,” particularly against those who bullied him and girls he felt entitled to having sex with, but who he never even approached according to his manifesto. After the incident, there were comments of sympathy for Rodgers, some claiming that if he had he just had sex, the entire incident would not have happened. In response to these comments the #YesAllWomen hash tag was born in reaction to the misogynist elements of our society.

The original hash tag (#YesAllWomen) is a feminist movement that draws attention to the potential violence that women face every day because of the attitude adopted by many such as Rodgers.

“In my opinion, I think it’s warranted. It’s unfair that women are targeted because they won’t have sex with a guy who they don’t like,” said  Deirdre Fanizzi. “I also think it was just a matter of time before a movement was started. Women have been working hard for gender equality for centuries and I expected this.”

The trending hash tag has become a stage for women to voice their experiences as people who have been objectified, oppressed, and mistreated. Stories exchanged on this Twitter feed include a woman who was told she was “asking for it” by school authorities because she wore a tank top, numerous girls who were told to take uncomfortable sexual come-ons as “compliments,” and even a college student who was told to not leave her cup unattended at college parties rather than advising other students not to slip date rape drugs in cups.

In this day and age, when human rights have become center-stage, it should be a no-brainer that rather than telling women to defend themselves, society should be telling men to treat women as equals. By doing so, society is not confiscating rights from men, but taking away some of the fear that is associated with being a female. It is not okay that very often, women feel the need to carry concealed weapons–an offense that is punishable by law even if used for self defense.

It is not okay that yelling “Fire” in a crowded room is much more effective than yelling “Rape”.  And it is not okay that a simple “No” is not respected, but “I have a boyfriend” is.

But no, not all men are dangerous; in fact, many aren’t.  There is also a hash tag #Notallmen that is countering the assumption.  This feed includes post about all men not being the same.  One post read “yes not all men are part of the problem but all men must be part of the solution.