Do we even have to?

Meninism started as a joke. It should end as one too.

To suggest that the Meninist “movement” is a legitimate and positive thing is ridiculous. They are not revolting against a power structure designed against them. There are not healthcare issues they must fight for. No laws that govern their bodies. There is, quite literally, nothing for men alone to have a movement of their own.

The term “meninist” in itself is an attempted play on feminist. The term first popped up in an article in 2001 on feminist.com. The article links meninsts to just being men who support feminists. Then it quickly became an internet troll move for boys masked as a social critique.

“Meninist’s” do bring up some interesting critiques, its true. However, these are all points discussed with feminism. Female identifying feminists don’t seek to pull anyone down to our level, we simply wish to reside at the same societal level as our male counterpart would.

As a matter of a fact, we want to raise everyone’s quality of life.

Feminism has become such a nasty word for no reason. Feminism is not some exclusive club for women between the ages of 15 and 65. This is a movement that fights for everyone.

Now, it is true that the majority of issues discussed by those in the modern day movement are related to topics centered around women. This is because there are far more things women are fighting against than men.

Feminism has a rich history, it has gone through many changes. Feminism started long before women were fighting for the rights to vote in the U.S. It has been an organized thought since the Enlightenment period. Women had better access to the mighty pen. They quickly used it to critique the hypocrisy of the society around them.

The problem arises where people in power (specifically men) feel as though they can write off women and other minority groups voices. Their hope is that we will fade into the background and just be a small voice they can ignore.

The easiest way to make something bearable is to laugh at it.

Humor details a group’s anxieties. Since television was introduced to second-wave feminism, men have been creating jokes about their anxieties, about women having the same place that they occupy.

Now, one large critique that feminists hear frequently is the draft. “Well if you want to be the same as men, you better be willing to step off your pedestal.” You are quite right sir, I absolutely want this “pedestal” of objectification, discrimination, sexual assault and kitchen comments to go away.

I will gladly serve next to you if our nation ever deems a draft necessary. Despite not believing in a draft system at all. If there was one in place, I would have no problem being sent, just like anyone else.

The second largest critique is violence. “Well that whole men can’t hit women thing should go away then, huh.” Violence should not be accepted. There should be no goal to get rid of stigmas against hitting women. Instead, there should just be a goal of trying not to be violent towards anyone.

Protecting yourself is a necessary thing, however, thinking reasonably, instead of pridefully, is so important. If someone slaps you at a party and then proceeds to walk away, there is no need to prove a point. This goes no matter what they identify as.

The general distaste for feminism seems to come from a place of privilege. It reiterates the idea that the “feminine” is a bad thing. The supposed problem is just that it is called feminism, which is why some people choose to attack it.

“But they would feel more comfortable if it was just called something else.” We aren’t here to make you comfortable. We are here to fight for rights and respect that, in the year 2018, shouldn’t even need to be debated.

Meninism attempts to equate women and minority suffering to casual complaints and ramblings. Yet, the joke is really in the unmasking of the “movement.” The reality is that the immature internet rambling of a small group of privileged males is sad at best.

Rachael Bayuk can be reached at [email protected] or @BayukRachael on Twitter.