Chime in here, men. And I DO mean, men.
Coming out of my extremely-prolonged social media silence here to address my fellow men, here. This public post is aimed at anyone and everyone who identifies as a man, uses masculine pronouns. 'Cause, fair or unfair, there's a bit of a societal responsibility that comes with that designation.
Gentlemen, the Guys With Microphones (and their popular YouTube channels and their rural radio stations) kinda won the day, here. Their arrogance and their swagger and their braying about being "the real victims here" really resonated with a LOT of people, it seems. 50-year old incels who constantly post lengthy "coaching" screeds about why Real Men(TM) should only date teenage girls (and shouldn't use birth control), are feeling extremely validated. They've been creating an absolute din and they're only going to be emboldened to get even louder and more dangerous.
WE have a responsibility to stop this unleashed misogyny. And no, I don't mean grab our always-at-the-ready pitchforks and torches and go administer some righteous mob justice. That's too easy. I mean detecting this incel/abusive behaviour EARLY from our fellow males, and challenging it. Right then and there. Regardless of who he is or his perceived status or if other guys in earshot are cheering him on. THAT's the scarier part, the part of the task that's going to require some actual courage. It's one thing to pile onto an anonymous comment thread that's making fun of some self-declared "alpha" loser with pimples and a MAGA hat. It's quite another to firmly call out that affable co-worker that everyone likes, or Director Bob, or Pastor Jim. Or Athlete Stu or Officer Brett or good old Veteran Mike. Or Landlord Hal.
Or CEO Charlie.
But that IS our responsibility. Keep your eyes and ears open and SHUT THAT S**T DOWN. Decisively. A look of disgust and an unmistakable "Dude, did you REALLY just say that? What are you, five?" challenge. Or a clear-as-vodka "Not cool, man. You sound like a freakin' pedo, what's wrong with you?" Or a revolted "Christ, do you talk like that in front of your customers? I'm surprised you still have any." Or just plain "You talk about other people's genitals a LOT, like, a WHOLE lot, do you know that?" Play the 'ol public embarrassment card ...knowing full well it may swiftly reverse-Uno back on your gallant well-intentioned ass and leave you standing alone in a roomful of self-righteously angry dudes whose confidence just got pricked. Actions such as these DO paint a target upon one's back.
And oh yeah, don't expect thanks or praise from any of the women in your life; there's a very good reason most of them have by now cheerfully chosen the bear. (And don't pretend you don't know what I'm referring to, there.) Stop this threat BEFORE it turns into a crime and just accept that as its own reward. Suffocate these predators in their crib, so to speak, even if you're the only one that knows anything was even done. That gushy "How can I EVER repay you?" fictional trope is just that: fiction. (If we MUST invoke fiction, then at the very least be like Doctor Who or Spider-Man: save the day and clear out.)
So to restate the premise: I need to hear from my fellow men, here. The ones the media is falling all over themselves to apologize and pander to for "neglecting" and "marginalizing." All of the women in my orbit have already made their thoughts ABUNDANTLY clear about all of this; they are now taking the next appropriate steps, and they are 100% right to do so. Leave them be; they've enough to deal with. I'm interested to know what YOU are going to do, in your societal role as men, to help in all of this.
