Why are feminists so aggressive?

One person's exasperation, disagreement or "weak humour" is another person's condescension and/or aggression...

No Karate don't be sorry, you are right, it used that way too. I meant that it's used as an insult to the commitment to something that is disapproved of by the person.

Being angry and aggressive is rife on the internet, and not something more common in feminism online.

This.

My point is...I should have read the thread more carefully. I was just musing how interesting that word is as I realise it's only used against 'the other side'. Totally irrelevant to the flow of the thread. Sorry.

So much public discourse becomes about attacking individuals you don't agree with, rather than a hashing out of the ideas themselves. I do feel it's unfair that radfems are often backed into a corner, so I can quite understand why many are quick to go on the defensive, and also why they will become so very close knit when they find each other.

Like I said I don't always go along with the radfem line, but I do try to make sure that if I'm debating/discussing something I'm qualifying that I or my position isn't necessarily the correct one, discussion is just as much about me learning and being exposed to new ideas and perspectives as it is about asserting my own views/values.

Something else I think is worth pointing out, is that a lot of these ideas are a real devil to get your head around, not basic ones like should people be equal? I'm more thinking about how easy it is to get lost in the weeds when you get to unconscious bias and questions about socialisation. As we've all been socialised a certain way and anything that goes against the current will seem counter intuitive and possibly an attack on some positive values we hold dear.

It's like Gallileo getting hammered by the Catholic view that the earth is the centre of the universe. It took centuries for him to be validated. Feminism for which parts I am on board with is a challenge to the view that men are the centre of the universe, and I am quite happy and secure to have that view challenged. Not because I want to wear a stupid "this is what a feminist looks like" t-shirt or have some imagined social capital, but because I am firmly of the view that the status quo means the entire human race is only really functioning at half capacity.

Now looking at how far the human race has come, and imagining how far we could go if we take the limiters off makes me actually quite excited and positive about the future. Wether I agree/disagree with any one idea or individual I hope at least my opponents in any individual discussion know that I recognise our common humanity, and always strive to respect that fact.

Being angry and aggressive is rife on the internet, and not something more common in feminism online.

I generally ignore people being angry and aggressive, because they're revealing a personal failing, not a political statement.

Sorry ^kitten*, that was to your comment on another thread. I'll switch it over.

Ok Kitten but my point is the same, that it's a negative word for 'commitment'. Not sure what your point is?

Always the same these threads. The question is asked, people respond, then are asked to provide examples and if a specific one can't be provided they're dismissed. And even when an example is provided from the same thread there is an attempt to dismiss.

I actually think it's incredibly goady to start threads lol this and I think (though happy to be corrected) that the OP has started similar threads before. Given that they invariably head the same way, I find it puzzling if not goady.

Again
"I'm a feminist, but I've walked away from discussions with other feminists because I get a bit overwhelmed when it gets too emotionally charged."

If you substituted feminist with 'Women on Mumsnet', it could equally be true but wouldn't be a problem then. We don't always have to agree and sometimes, someone with get upset, lairy, whatever.

Some people just don't like feminists though. Some men don't like women too and the language used against them is quite similar

Yes, I know. But sometimes, when you've had the argument

I know it's frustrating. But you did ask why feminists get accused of being aggressive. This might be part of the problem.
If you don't fancy having this discussion then don't. But calling women handmaidens just gets their backs up and entrenches them even more.

Assigned, I've only ever heard staunch used in relation to staunch catholics, the opposite to what you associate the word with.

''Feminism is cancer''.
Expressed frequently on social media, and you can buy it on a T shirt. Can you imagine saying it being said about any other movement? It would be classed as hate speech.

Indeed Bertrand and much of it has the same tone as the MRAs and antifeminists online. Mostly STFU you uppity bitches

What is aggression? Is it the use of a high pitched voice? A loud voice? An emotional argument?

Regardless of what is being discussed, I find it easier to listen and put across my POV if discussion is calm.

I'm a feminist, but I've walked away from discussions with other feminists because I get a bit overwhelmed when it gets too emotionally charged.

Actually staunch is usually used with people in the Orange Order, DUP hence why I find it an aggressive term.

And really, you might consider reviewing the tone of your posts if you are concerned about aggressiveness

Indeed Eleanor. There's a great deal of aggressive misogyny on social media.

To clarify I mean they think calling me a feminist is an insult.

I don't find feminists aggressive but I do find people calling me a feminist as an insult
If I see some misogynistic post on social media then I will comment on it, never in an aggressive way though. I tend to get abuse back.