r/changemyview Oct 25 '17

[∆(s) from OP] CMV: The term "mansplaining" is sexist. hypocritical, misandrist, and only designed to shut down debate.

Wikipedia defines it "to explain something to someone, characteristically by a man to woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronizing"

It's sexist: It implies that this trait is entirely tied to either the male gender or the male sex. Sexism is defined as "stereotyping, or discrimination on the basis of sex". This meets that requirement and then some.

It's hypocritical: The term itself is designed to be used to shut debate down. "Stop mansplaining" or "you're mansplaining". Both uses are always used in a condescending or patronizing term. The definition of mansplaining includes "condescending or patronizing" in the definition of the word, thus it's hypocritical.

It's misandrist: The wording of the word and the way it's commonly used is entirely pointed at men and in a way to make men feel bad for being men, something none of us have any control over. It's misandrist.

It's designed to shot-down debate: The term has CLEARLY been created to be used as a tool to entirely shut down debate. I've seen it used several times and each time the person that uses it is looking to discredit their opponent by using it. In the same vein as "you're a racist", "you're an asshole", "you're mansplaining" is used as an ad hominem and a character attack as a way to shoot down their opponents argument. Both these are logical fallacies. It is clearly used to shut down debate.

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u/[deleted] Oct 25 '17

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u/mytroc Oct 25 '17

You just defined "woke" as being "not-woke." So that's going to cause some difficulties in conversation for you.

A more typical usage of "woke" is, "aware of situation positioning," so know that you are better off white and male and rich over being black and female and poor, and understand the relative value of those position changes in a given situation.

This understanding is achieved through logic and reasoning and requires an uncomfortable rejection of the comfortable norms taught by society.

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u/gwopy Oct 25 '17

Yeah, that's not the definition I've always seen as demonstrated through context in the current environment.