Channeling frustration with everyday sexism into wit and sarcasm, here are some brilliant takes from the internet.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 5, 2021. It has since been updated.
Sexism and misogyny have seeped into every nook and cranny of our daily existence. People who are not cis-straight men, in general, have been at the receiving end of an offhand comment or an ignorant remark almost every single day. There is only so much energy one can spare for expressing anger. It gets tiring. Channeling this frustration into wit and sarcasm has been one way of handling everyday sexism. Feminists have been using humor to make a point while also clapping back at the people who have bad takes on how other people should live their lives. Not to mention the free lessons they have to give ignorant people at their own expense.
Here are some funny retorts feminists have as they try to navigate a world where a critique on patriarchy will attract internet strangers, who definitely fit the description of the criticism, to yell "not all men" at them.
Why is a stranger smiling for you so important to weird men? I’m not in the mood Ted Bundy like wtf.
— Kay (@KaylarWill) May 2, 2021
being a feminist is honestly so much work I can't even enjoy hotline bling without thinking that drake should just let his ex live
— fuck the police (@_gumshudaa) September 25, 2015
How about instead of me explaining why I don't find rape jokes funny, you explain why you DO find them funny.
— Laura (@LauraLikesWine) December 10, 2014
Go ahead, I'll wait.
Excited about all these up-and-coming leading men. (And their future on-screen wives, who could be born any day now!) #Miracles
— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) April 11, 2016
I have made a handy flowchart, for all the men who claim "I don't know what to say to women anymore!!! How do you compliment women nowadays??!!" I am here to help you! Here is how you compliment a woman: pic.twitter.com/RW98Q09Dke
— Pigeon Fancier (@isabelzawtun) December 19, 2018
Telling a woman to get back in the kitchen is a weird insult to lob on Twitter. We can still tweet from kitchens. We have wifi & data plans.
— Mary Gillis (@living_marble) April 14, 2016
@EverydaySexism Managed to stop white van full of men mid-catcall by shoving a big powdery donut into my mouth then smiling with mouth full
— 0h_Pl3ase (@CleoR7) December 5, 2013
Why did the mansplainer drown in the puddle? It was a well, actually.
— Patricia Zengerle (@ReutersZengerle) August 7, 2018