“Not all men are like that.”
First off, we know.
No woman has ever said all men are “like that.” “All” men cannot be “like that,” it is mathematically and psychologically impossible.
The problem is when guys say this phrase, it is usually to avoid the topic at hand. Not all men catcall, not all men sexually harass, not all men rape, and not all men act like xyz. But if one man does or two or a handful or thirty-six, doesn’t it matter that this is already a problem? And yet no one wants to address it?
That is like if someone’s house gets robbed; they go to the police and a police officer replies,
“I understand what you are saying, but this is a good neighborhood. People don’t usually get robbed in this neighborhood.
Oh, you say it was a man in a ski mask that robbed you? Well, I am sorry maa’m, but not all men wear ski masks. Also, I don’t wear ski masks.
I have never robbed anyone. And I am sure there are plenty of people in your neighborhood that have never robbed anyone.
We will do our best to catch him, but it is hard; it’s not like every second of the day one can encounter a robber.
I have female friends who have never been robbed. They don’t think every person they see is a robber. Because they are strong and can take care of themselves.
Maybe it was just this one guy.”
And then no one gets arrested. This is what the phrase “Not all men” sounds like.
Latina. Writing enthusiast. Educator. Perspectiv.words Content Strategist, Editor, & Contributor. Loves science and a good debate. I write about what I see in an effort to better understand the world around me. I believe there is more than one story to tell and I don’t mind exploring them all.
