“It solidifies a suspicion that we are all just screaming into the wind. As a woman, this kind of screaming is familiar: It’s the same kind we do when we’re screaming, “Stop hurting me,” and “Don’t touch me.”
And it’s a violent kind of gaslighting, being told that if only we’d offered our message just a little more carefully, provided a little more evidence, or spoken in just the right tone of voice, we would have been heard.”
Yes! This! Thank you so much for putting this together for me. Every other headline blaming the left for this makes me feel crazy when the right knowingly chose this
Garbage. We did not. Put the blame where it belongs!
Nov 10·edited Nov 10Liked by Lane Anderson, Allison Lichter
This is the backlash against women's progress. We know we have not yet achieved a level playing field, but many men feel like they are the victims of our gains. So here we are. They will have to go full Gilead to remove our progress: end our right to vote; end our right to decent paying jobs; end our right to own property and obtain credit; end our right to education. The problem of ending our financial rights is that is a downside for the capitalists. Billionaires may want to 'keep us in our place' but they also want more customers and more money. We'll have to say how that plays out.
I'm more worried about women who are joining the manosphere. We need to understand them and see what they distrust or disbelieve in our message. I fear that many women think if they did patriarchy perfectly, then they are safe. We know that is not true.
Brilliant piece! I have long said if my son, who voted for the first time, had slightly different parents, ones who didn't know what he was being exposed to (and to be fair, we only really knew because he talked about it) and didn't provide counter arguments and bring feminist sensibilities to the table, he may very well have gone to the right. The manosphere has a long dark reach and we're no match for it.
My very intelligent son (22) has shared with me some of what he’s been exposed to online in the last 8-10 years and knows well how many of his peers were sucked in.
This was the first Presidential election he was old enough to vote in. He was so excited to vote. He wanted to do so on Nov 5 (rather than early voting, a new option in our state this year) because he was so energized.
With the result, he has become resigned. He sees the writing on the wall. He doesn’t have high hopes for his future.
Whenever we talk about it, I can’t help saying ‘I’m sorry’ to him (as if it’s my fault which of course it’s not) but I do feel gutted that this is the future he’s facing and we were not equipped, somehow, to edge ahead of it. We couldn’t reach a majority.
I think it IS due to the influencers AND the way the legacy media (NYT, etc) presented things. We couldn’t compete!
Oh this gets me in the heart. Sending love to you AND your son. There are like-minded people (and young men). Many of my students are those young people.
It does feel like we are overwhelmed and agree the legacy media is a big part of the problem. WTH NYT.
This is a powerful analysis, Allison. The manosphere’s influence in this election feels like the culmination of unchecked online radicalization, overshadowing traditional journalism with a well-funded right-wing machine. It’s disheartening to see narratives of empowerment drowned out by toxic masculinity and misinformation, feeding into widespread exhaustion as moneyed interests fuel division. Yet, spaces like this, where people gather to engage and care, are more vital than ever. Can progressive voices pursue unorthodox, lesser-known strategies that prioritize authenticity and grassroots support? What new approaches could amplify our message without compromising core values? Thank you for your courage and commitment to independent feminist journalism.
What a powerful article. I was wondering why no one was speaking about it. It was clear that this election was won by social media. And it is sad to see toxic masculinity being bred this way. Please continue working on exploring solutions. It currently seems to me that democrats are not up to the game.
And we all must not forget to "thank" Elon Musk, who not only grafted (sorry, "donated") heavily to Trump, but also turned the world's largest digital town square into the new 4chan on steroids.
My brother literally told me to hold on to hope. lol, I’m visiting my dad and stepmom today-Wednesday. My girl, Rover, is currently on my lap. It’s the most comforting thing EVER. I will deeply miss it, and will probably have phantom cat sightings (as usual) while there. As a person on disability, not optimistic. Mom on social security? Not good, either. Fuck.
I mostly think social media is the devil but dropping out is not the solution since (it seems) we all agree that it played a huge part in Trump’s reelection. I’m pretty sure social media is here to stay, unfortunately. It makes me nauseous to say this but honestly, we need to engage it if we want a different outcome.
I definitely see the upside to that, but the problem is so many people posting wrong, misleading or scare tactic type information. How does the general public parse it out? It’s like a giant word-meme tornado on those platforms. We need to regain trust in real journalism again…not that I know how to accomplish that.
“It solidifies a suspicion that we are all just screaming into the wind. As a woman, this kind of screaming is familiar: It’s the same kind we do when we’re screaming, “Stop hurting me,” and “Don’t touch me.”
And it’s a violent kind of gaslighting, being told that if only we’d offered our message just a little more carefully, provided a little more evidence, or spoken in just the right tone of voice, we would have been heard.”
Yes! This! Thank you so much for putting this together for me. Every other headline blaming the left for this makes me feel crazy when the right knowingly chose this
Garbage. We did not. Put the blame where it belongs!
Indeed, the right wing are not victims, but volunteers, often eager ones. They have sown the wind, and unfortunately we ALL get to reap the whirlwind.
This is the backlash against women's progress. We know we have not yet achieved a level playing field, but many men feel like they are the victims of our gains. So here we are. They will have to go full Gilead to remove our progress: end our right to vote; end our right to decent paying jobs; end our right to own property and obtain credit; end our right to education. The problem of ending our financial rights is that is a downside for the capitalists. Billionaires may want to 'keep us in our place' but they also want more customers and more money. We'll have to say how that plays out.
I'm more worried about women who are joining the manosphere. We need to understand them and see what they distrust or disbelieve in our message. I fear that many women think if they did patriarchy perfectly, then they are safe. We know that is not true.
Well said.
Exactly this and why I left socials the day after the election. We have to change this and not let it become the new norm of elections
So wise — and so sane! — to drop the socials
Brilliant piece! I have long said if my son, who voted for the first time, had slightly different parents, ones who didn't know what he was being exposed to (and to be fair, we only really knew because he talked about it) and didn't provide counter arguments and bring feminist sensibilities to the table, he may very well have gone to the right. The manosphere has a long dark reach and we're no match for it.
Oof, this is tough to hear but useful!
This.
My very intelligent son (22) has shared with me some of what he’s been exposed to online in the last 8-10 years and knows well how many of his peers were sucked in.
This was the first Presidential election he was old enough to vote in. He was so excited to vote. He wanted to do so on Nov 5 (rather than early voting, a new option in our state this year) because he was so energized.
With the result, he has become resigned. He sees the writing on the wall. He doesn’t have high hopes for his future.
Whenever we talk about it, I can’t help saying ‘I’m sorry’ to him (as if it’s my fault which of course it’s not) but I do feel gutted that this is the future he’s facing and we were not equipped, somehow, to edge ahead of it. We couldn’t reach a majority.
I think it IS due to the influencers AND the way the legacy media (NYT, etc) presented things. We couldn’t compete!
Oh this gets me in the heart. Sending love to you AND your son. There are like-minded people (and young men). Many of my students are those young people.
It does feel like we are overwhelmed and agree the legacy media is a big part of the problem. WTH NYT.
This is a powerful analysis, Allison. The manosphere’s influence in this election feels like the culmination of unchecked online radicalization, overshadowing traditional journalism with a well-funded right-wing machine. It’s disheartening to see narratives of empowerment drowned out by toxic masculinity and misinformation, feeding into widespread exhaustion as moneyed interests fuel division. Yet, spaces like this, where people gather to engage and care, are more vital than ever. Can progressive voices pursue unorthodox, lesser-known strategies that prioritize authenticity and grassroots support? What new approaches could amplify our message without compromising core values? Thank you for your courage and commitment to independent feminist journalism.
What a powerful article. I was wondering why no one was speaking about it. It was clear that this election was won by social media. And it is sad to see toxic masculinity being bred this way. Please continue working on exploring solutions. It currently seems to me that democrats are not up to the game.
Agree, this put a finger on something that seemed obvious but was being overlooked!
And we all must not forget to "thank" Elon Musk, who not only grafted (sorry, "donated") heavily to Trump, but also turned the world's largest digital town square into the new 4chan on steroids.
I’m still so depressed. I don’t have a job, so I literally go through the motions.
Thank goddess I have the two best cats on the planet.
I'm so sorry, hang in there. This is such an intense time.
My brother literally told me to hold on to hope. lol, I’m visiting my dad and stepmom today-Wednesday. My girl, Rover, is currently on my lap. It’s the most comforting thing EVER. I will deeply miss it, and will probably have phantom cat sightings (as usual) while there. As a person on disability, not optimistic. Mom on social security? Not good, either. Fuck.
Lets organize s women’s strike to happen on January 6
This piece is very informative, specific, and well-written. Thank you.
I mostly think social media is the devil but dropping out is not the solution since (it seems) we all agree that it played a huge part in Trump’s reelection. I’m pretty sure social media is here to stay, unfortunately. It makes me nauseous to say this but honestly, we need to engage it if we want a different outcome.
Much like how the advent of the printing press effectively ignited the Burning Times (aka witch hunts aka Women's Holocaust) in the 15th century:
https://thenoosphere.substack.com/p/how-the-printing-press-ignited-europes
Wow this is v apt! Thanks for sharing.
You're very welcome 😊
Social media has been both a blessing and a curse. We all have to be careful not throw out the baby with the bathwater.
https://celestemdavis.substack.com/p/why-women-are-so-uppity
I still think "jamming the culture" online against the reich-wing is worth doing.
I definitely see the upside to that, but the problem is so many people posting wrong, misleading or scare tactic type information. How does the general public parse it out? It’s like a giant word-meme tornado on those platforms. We need to regain trust in real journalism again…not that I know how to accomplish that.
Indeed, it sure is not easy!
people are struggling to put food on the table and a roof over their head so they are “voting the bums out”.
As usual, Adam threw Eve under the bus. AGAIN.
https://rasavonwerder-william.blogspot.com/2024/11/adam-throws-eve-under-bus-again.html