It didn’t take long for #HowToSpotAFeminist to become more than just a viral sensation. In less than a week, the Twitter hashtag has gone from weapon to means of empowerment, and has begun a far-reaching debate about the meaning of feminism in the early 21st century.
In case you missed it: a few days ago, conservative radio host Doc Thompson, who helms a show called The Morning Blaze, sent out the following call to his followers:
Any tips on #HowToSpotAFeminist??? We’ll discuss tomorrow http://t.co/MlSI2zGap3 #WhatILearnedToday
— Doc Thompson (@DocThompsonShow) May 3, 2015
Most of the responses were–dare we say it–predictable.
#HowToSpotAFeminist – Usually fat & ugly, always inherently unlikeable, supremely hypocritical, snarky, annoying, deluded, intransigent. — Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) May 5, 2015
@DocThompsonShow She shaves her head but can still braid her hair. #HowToSpotAFeminist — Turning Stinky (@stinkybisquit) May 3, 2015
@DocThompsonShow She’s hunched over due to that HUGE chip on her shoulder. #HowToSpotAFeminist
— Heart and Sowell (@DiLouiseD) May 3, 2015
#HowtoSpotAFeminist Struggling at the side of the road to change a tire, in the pouring rain, refusing all ‘male’ help. Oh, & her beard. — Duncan Whitehead (@DuncanWhitehead) May 5, 2015
Then, of course, feminists began to respond to Thompson’s call. Along with people who just love a good snark-fest.
@DocThompsonShow Feminists are people who believe in equal rights between men and women. Get a Dictionary. #HowToSpotAFeminist
— Sabaa Sharma (@SabaaSharma) May 5, 2015
#HowToSpotAFeminist usually the person being verbally abused on Twitter for espousing that women are people deserving of equality, dignity — soulkhan (@soulkhan) May 5, 2015
#HowToSpotAFeminist They believe in equality. That is all. You can’t spot him/her based on hairstyle, clothing or any other arbitrary thing. — Cara Lynn Shultz (@caralynnshultz) May 5, 2015
They’re the person in the room who can read and look up words in the dictionary to understand… like “feminist”. #HowToSpotAFeminist
— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) May 5, 2015
#HowToSpotAFeminist *raises hand, waves at everyone* We are everywhere.
— Eve Vawter (@EveVawter) May 5, 2015
As Jon Favreau can tell you, nothing on Twitter can stay secret for very long.
What do you, the viewers at home, think? Have you used the #HowToSpotAFeminist hashtag? Would you? Is this all much ado about nothing? Or a worthwhile debate for an important cause?
(Photo credits: Rosie, Reputation via Flickr; Beach via WENN)
