Enlightening article on 'whataboutery'

30 replies

Nightmanagerfan · 03/01/2018 14:20

‘Whataboutery’ comes from a place of misogyny. An arrogant, derailing technique used to respond to a campaign, video, research study, intervention, organisation or communication that screams ‘I don’t care about women, talk about men!!’

I wanted to share this as I found it enlightening. The author has run a project helping vulnerable men and never been criticised for excluding women. The same is not the case for her work with women, when she has experienced abuse and criticism from all sides.

victimfocus.wordpress.com/2018/01/03/stop-asking-me-what-about-men/

OP posts:

PricklyBall · 03/01/2018 15:59

That's the best article on whataboutery I've ever seen - bookmarked.

Because the absolute knockout punch is that here is a woman who works, separately, in really important mental health issues and the aftermath of abuse for both men and women, and people never say "what about the women" in connection with her work with men.

HeyRoly · 03/01/2018 15:43

I've really noticed lately how prevalent "whataboutery" is.

Article about encouraging young girls to believe they can enter ANY sort of career when they grow up - "but what about boys?" (this was a woman).

News story about estimated number of men in the UK with a sexual interest in children - "but what about the millions of men who do not?" (this was classic whataboutery, from a man).

I can never respond to it convincingly and eloquently because it makes me so angry

Original poster

Nightmanagerfan · 03/01/2018 15:37

Agreed. The explanation that women are socially conditioned not to expect things to be about them was poignant. Heartbreaking and anger inducing that men complain out of a sense of entitlement

OP posts:

DamnDeDoubtanceIsSpartacus · 03/01/2018 14:56

Just read this, it's excellent but so bloody depressing.

Lazylouse · 03/01/2018 14:39

Excellent article, thanks for highlighting.

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