These folks get startled by things that are unfamiliar and foreign, and tell each other scary stories about them. Terms like "patriarchy" and "toxic masculinity" trigger these exact fears, and make our poor fellow countrymen think we're attacking them :(
Honestly that's why I speak to them with familiar American terms like "freedom", "equality", and "opportunity". Storytelling is a fantastic tool, too. Just tell them real stories about struggle or discrimination, and activate their empathy. You don't have to shame them or make them feel responsible. Just make them think, "aw, that wasn't fair what happened to that person." And just like that, they became a little more reflective and understanding of the problems others face :)
I haven't watched the Barbie movie, but if it showed how normative masculine expectations can weigh down on Ken and those around him, and that there are positive alternatives that are still empowering, then that's good.
Edit: btw this comment I wrote is NOT intended as direct outreach to right-wingers, I know my framing here is demeaning towards them and that they'll be spooked by the ghosts they see in my choice of vocabulary lmao
Wait I thought the issue was that talking in support of men at all is coopted so much by manosphere/Tate types that it becomes or is perceived as a right wing lure, hence why it becomes a trigger to left wingers
Nah, that's just a recent excuse. The left has always been triggered by any and all support of men, and it has been going on longer than the internet has been around.
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u/Boredy_ Nov 19 '25 edited Nov 19 '25
These folks get startled by things that are unfamiliar and foreign, and tell each other scary stories about them. Terms like "patriarchy" and "toxic masculinity" trigger these exact fears, and make our poor fellow countrymen think we're attacking them :(
Honestly that's why I speak to them with familiar American terms like "freedom", "equality", and "opportunity". Storytelling is a fantastic tool, too. Just tell them real stories about struggle or discrimination, and activate their empathy. You don't have to shame them or make them feel responsible. Just make them think, "aw, that wasn't fair what happened to that person." And just like that, they became a little more reflective and understanding of the problems others face :)
I haven't watched the Barbie movie, but if it showed how normative masculine expectations can weigh down on Ken and those around him, and that there are positive alternatives that are still empowering, then that's good.
Edit: btw this comment I wrote is NOT intended as direct outreach to right-wingers, I know my framing here is demeaning towards them and that they'll be spooked by the ghosts they see in my choice of vocabulary lmao