Roshani Jain
Staff Writer
#YesAllWomen.
We of the modern world pride ourselves in having a moral sense of ethics and supporting rights and equality for all. Why then, do women have to prove that they do not hate men, every time they ask for gender equality? Why have woman’s clothes become a greater indicator of consent over her own words? And why do we have to use the phrase, “Imagine if it was your daughter,” to get some compassion out of a man?
These are the question circulating on most social media sites, mainly Twitter due to the 2014 Isla Vista Killings.
On the 23rd of May, 2014, a killing spree occurred in Isla Vista, California, United States, starting with a stabbing attack at an apartment, and continuing with a series of drive-by shootings and vehicular attacks near the campus of University of California, Santa Barbara. Elliot Rodger, 22, killed seven people, including himself, and wounded thirteen others.
He released a series of pathetic and aggressive YouTube videos, along with his manifesto, a 137-page manuscript painting a picture of a happy boy slowly spiraling into his true form of an enraged misogynist.
In order to completely abolish sex, women themselves would have to be abolished. All women must be quarantined like the plague they are, so that they can be used in a manner that actually benefits a civilized society. In order to carry this out, there must exist a new and powerful type of government, under the control of one divine ruler, such as myself.
Elliot Rodger suffered from Asperser’s Syndrome which some say had a part in leading him to such crazy and extremist methods. The truly frightening part, however, is that his misogynic, class-based ideas are shared by many.
Thus, #YesAllWomen was born. Twitter has always been a place designed for free speech—for a short, strong, declarative utterance—that makes it an especially powerful vehicle for activism; a place of liberation. Therefore I urge you to share and spread any instance where you felt violated, no matter how subtle, as spreading awareness about such situations is what will stop such backward thoughts. After reading Rodger’s Manifesto, I realized that all of his belief system stemmed out of subtle hints given by society.
So head to Twitter and tell your #YesAllWomen story; and let these worms know that we are equal in every way and will not be used as sexual playthings only good for their own entertainment.
You can check out Rodger’s “Retribution” video below. WARNING: Video contains graphic content that may offend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQUW3Km01BM
You can also check out a few of our favorite tweets with the #YesAllWomen hashtag below.
https://twitter.com/Reason2Write/status/471382601874538496
Because we are told that 'boys will be boys' – as if men can't and shouldn't take responsibility for their actions. #yesallwomen
— Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) May 27, 2014
Because my shoulders are a distraction to your learning environment. #YesAllWomen
— sydney (@Port_Sydney) May 27, 2014
Half of our species live under a cloud of oppression and fear. This is a human issue. Brothers, time to stand with our sisters. #YesAllWomen
— Brian Linss (@cultclassicart) May 27, 2014
Because it was common in the Army for my fellow male soldiers to tell me they'd never salute a woman. #maleinsecurity #YesAllWomen
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️⚧️🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) May 27, 2014
Oh, you sick of hearing about #YesAllWomen? ME TOO! I'd LOVE to never think rape & my rights again but I can't. That's what privilege is.
— Sofiya Alexandra (@TheSofiya) May 27, 2014
Big shout-out to the men who are contributing to this campaign in a positive way. And for those men who think we’re whining or have responded with vulgar and hateful remarks? That’s a problem you have with in yourselves, please rectify it and stop spamming our empowerment.
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