Not all Men – my response - Safe Space Workplace

I have written this blog with my response to the comment, not all men. If I respond to comments I get torn down and not listened to. If I don’t respond it is taken as prove I am wrong. So, from here on out this blog is going to be my response, because to be honest, I have had enough of being insulted for my opinions, I have had enough of not expressing them.

It seems every time I or another woman speak up for women’s rights or talk about violence against women, women being sexualised, assaulted or raped, I am attacked for being anti-men or accusing every man of being a rapist. I get told I don’t care about men.

Definition of Patriarchy – https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchy

1: social organization marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan or family, the legal dependence of wives and children, and the reckoning of descent and inheritance in the male line broadly: control by men of a disproportionately large share of power

2: a society or institution organized according to the principles or practices of patriarchy

When I talk about the power imbalance, women not being believed and those in power are afforded leniency most of us don’t. Yes, I want to see patriarchy end and a more equitable system that is fair for all, does that mean I hate men -no. I hate the system of patriarchy.

Definition of Misogyny – https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/misogyny

Feelings of hating women, or the belief that men are much better than women

I hate misogyny and everything it stands for. I cannot agree or condone the thought that men are intrinsically better than women. If you are a misogynist and you are telling me to agree with you. You are expecting me to agree that you are better than me simply because you are a man. I believe men and women should have the same opportunities and expectations of safety. This view will not change.

Definition of Feminism – https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/feminism

Feminism is the belief and aim that women should have the same rights, power, and opportunities as men.

I am a feminist because I want equality and equity for men and women. No human should be held back, unsafe or paid less because of their gender. Understanding the difficulties women face means listening without being defensive. Because someone wants equality does not mean they are attacking you.

Definition of Privilege – https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/privilege

An advantage that only one person or group of people has, usually because of their position or because they are rich

The special right that some people in authority have that allows them to do or say things that other people are not allowed to.

When I talk about Male Privilege, I am certainly not suggesting all men have the luxury of Male Privilege, because they are not in positions of wealth and/or power. There are so many that are left out of this privilege, ethnic background, religion, lack of wealth, age, disability, LGTBIQ+ are some of the reasons men are excluded.If you have never experienced being left out of this privilege. Maybe, just maybe it is because you are one of those who benefit from male privilege. By listening and understanding how it feels to be outside of male privilege, you can be an ally so we can all live a privileged life.