https://imgur.com/a/uqy9EeP

As many of you know. I make a habit of looking through menslib once in a while to entertain myself from the sheer feelings of "yes, We've known this for a while and you can't keep the floodgates sealed forever"

This comment is one such occurrence. I don't find it fully agreeable. But it's clear that they're starting to recognize what so many of us have recognized for a long time now. Some of these terms are outright toxic and do a terrible job at describing the reality of men's lived experiences.

But that's not entirely why I made this post. I wanted to highlight the notions brought up by the comment for consideration yes. But I also wanted to make a point that this comment was removed from the 'slib for the little advertised rule of

Posts/comments solely focused on semantics rather than concepts are unproductive and will be removed. Comments picking apart word choices are unproductive and derail the conversation. This is especially not the place to debate foundational terminology. We are a pro-feminism community that uses the framework of feminism to address men's issues. These terms are non-negotiable in this particular space.

Which made me think. This is a comment that could have gotten a lot of people thinking. A lot of people clearly agreed with the notion. And foundationally there's not really much of a semantics argument being made aside from the idea that some feminist terms aren't really as accurate or helpful as they are said to be.

so why was this comment deleted? why do they have such a strange and almost nebulous rule that they have such a tight stranglehold over?

Well to anybody that's even mildly familiar with 1984(the book, not the date) should have an idea of the power of language in enforcing ideology. And don't worry that's about as far as I plan to take that analogy. But the point I think holds. One of the ways that the mods of that community have kept such an iron grip on it for so long is the enforcement of specific language. Heretical notions like the comment above that may make somebody question things too much are far too destructive to the sanctity of their pro-feminist nature and must be silenced at all costs.

It's also fun to note that ideological language policing is often subtle. Or at least the language they police is. I know a lot of right wing folks are upset with being unable to be an outright douche to people. and they treat that as being one in the same which is why I had to take a good five minutes to really consider bringing up Orwell. But I think this comment and just how milquetoast it is really illustrates just how difficult to notice ideological language policing actually is. (or at least should be, The 'Slib mods just delete shit and trust that nobody will dig too much into it)

It's not a room full of people telling you that you're being an asshole for using slurs or telling a racist joke. It's people using and socially enforcing terminology that creates an association in your head. (like how "toxic masculinity" makes people associate masculinity with toxicity regardless of what the definition is. But if you ever bring this up people will simply lecture you as if you don't understand the term)

Anyway I'm tired. There's my rant. enjoy.