Natalie Stange

Arguing A Position Essay Draft 2

English 1121 32
July 12, 2014

True Feminism: The Fight against Demeaning Language

The discussion on gender equality is unfortunately tainted with bias and assumptions,
since modern society still has yet to shake the dogma of gender roles. Gender roles influence us
from the advertisements on T.V to who is expected to pay for the first date. Even within the
gender equality fight. Unfortunately, a generalization that woman are entitled to a degree of
compensation, and in this case of leniency, for misogyny has given radical feminist groups the
freedom to make disparaging and offensive remarks about the male gender in an attempt to
validate their points. The cause for gender equality is undercut entirely when demeaning
language is used by either gender. Radical feminist groups should not use demeaning
language for the male gender to make points, because it is extremely offensive, is a text
book example of a logical fallacy, and it contradicts the principals of gender equality
causes.
Much of the language used by extreme feminists to describe the male population is
offensive, demeaning, and aggressive. Certain extreme feminists and feminist groups have
gained immense attention for making offensive comments. So much so, in fact, that feminism
itself has been conjoined with the term man hating by those offended. The website Woman
Against Men compiles a list of quoted examples of demeaning statements made publicly by
radical feminists. Quotes, such as, I want to see a man beaten to a bloody pulp with a high-heel
shoved in his mouth, like an apple in the mouth of a pig.- Andrea Dworkin,-Woman against
Men, and To call a man an animal is to flatter him; hes a machine, a walking dildo.- Valerie
Solanas,-Woman against Men, are both examples of extreme language that are used to
emphasize the speakers point. Each of these examples demeans the male gender and perpetuates
inappropriate ideals.
When making a point, the use of disparaging remarks to validate an argument is a
classic example of the logical fallacy Ad Hominem Circumstantial. Translated from Latin, the
phrase Ad Hominem literally means to the man, and is commonly known as the He would,
wouldnt he? fallacy within philosophy. Logical fallacies are arguments that use poor reasoning,
and within philosophy there are many categories. The Ad Hominem Circumstantial implies that a
groups argument is not invalid due to being predisposed to a particular stance on the matter.
Within the gender equality movement, the male population claims that feminist groups use
terminology that is deemed demeaning and unjustified. Extreme feminist groups counter that
claim with the argument that woman are put down and offended by demeaning language by men
consistently. Hence, and within the criteria of Ad Hominem Circumstantial, extreme feminist
argue that such language is justified by the previous actions of their aggressors, males. As quoted
by an editor for Mrs. Magazine, I feel that man-hating is an honorable and viable political
act, that the oppressed have a right to class-hatred against the class that is oppressing them.-
Robin Morgan-Knight, Leslie. Robin Morgans claim is a classic example of the logical fallacy,
Ad hominem. The use of radical language to evoke a response is tactic that is frequently, and
incorrectly, used. As stated in an article written on the science of swearing presented by the
Association for Physiological Science, states, It is far more common to see strong offensive
words used as emotionally arousing stimuli tools to study the effect of emotion on mental
processes such as attention and memory.-Jay, Timothy. Radical feminist groups use this tactic to
try and make their points more effective.

True feminism is instilled with the ideology of gender equality, which is contradicted
by the use of demeaning language for the male gender. According to certain groups, feminism
in its purest form is meant to be in support of full gender equality. Certain extreme feminist
groups, such as Woman against Men, peddle the idea that men are unequal and underserving of
respect. Unfortunately, these extreme points of view are given more attention than the true
feministic view of gender equality. The loudest and most memorable voices within a movement
do not always represent the majority. As mentioned in the article 'Feminists are Sexist', published
by The F Word.UK, At the end of the day, there are feminists who concentrate on men's issues,
some who do work on both genders, and some who concentrate solely on improving the world
for women. All are useful aspects of feminism.-Redfern, Catherine. The author also explains
how feminism is beneficial for both genders when in its true form. Unfortunately, many opinions
on feminism are based on the louder and offensive feminist groups that garner greater attention
through their extremism.

In conclusion, radical feminist groups should not be allowed to use offensive language
for the male gender because it is contradictory to true feminism ideologies, is a classic example
of the philosophical logical fallacy Ad Hominem Circumstantial, and it is extremely offensive to
males. Extreme feminist groups like these present many examples of what to avoid when
supporting a cause. Groups like these will unfortunately never be silenced, as is their right, yet
they do a great deal of harm to feministic and humanistic causes and if cannot be silenced,
should be ignored.
Citations

J ay, Timothy, and Kristin J anschewitz. "The Science of Swearing." APS Association for
Phsycological
Science. Association for Psychological Science, J une 2012. Web. 12 J uly 2014.
<http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/publications/observer/2012/may-june-12/
the-science-of-swearing.html>.

Knight, Leslie. "Enough with the Male-Bashing." Forbes. Forbes, 26 Apr. 2011. Web. 14 J uly
2014.
<http://www.forbes.com/2011/04/26/enough-with-the-male-bashing.html>.

Redfern, Catherine. 'Feminists are Sexist'. The F Word. The F Word, 19 Sept. 2003. Web. 14
J uly
2014. <http://www.thefword.org.uk/features/2003/09/feminists_are_sexist>.

Woman against Men. Woman against Men, n.d. Web. 14 J uly 2014.
<http://www.womenagainstmen.com/
media/feminism-is-a-hate-group.html>.