This page lists Geek Feminism Wiki articles about arguments, excuses, and other rhetorics by theme and type.
Denial[]
It didn't/doesn't happen because[]
It's not sexist because[]
- We discussed everything except the glaring sexual content
- Simply because it discriminates against pregnant people
- Another woman said so
It might be sexist, but[]
- My Nigel wouldn't ever do it!
- Not every man ever would necessarily do it!
- I wouldn't ever do it!
- Shaming is bad!
It might be sexist, but it's okay because...[]
- It gets attention to the project/product
- Sex sells
- We want to be rebellious
- There are no women in geekdom and if there are, they're in for the wrong reasons
- It's just a game/comic/article/event
- It's just a joke
It might be sexist, but we won't address it because...[]
- I had to claw my way up, too!
- It won't fix all sexism
- It was just one isolated incident
- We don't want to look like racists
- We'd rather sue you
- We're more concerned with his career
- We're fine with status quo
- Ostracism is evil so we shouldn't ban anyone from the community, no matter what they do.
- Fighting oppression is not relevant to our project/program
Dismissal[]
- I'm sorry you are butthurt.
- You don't have to worry about the person who's a known abuser, because they wouldn't misbehave here.
- You're just trying to derail the discussion/draw the attention.
It might be sexist, but instead of complaining you should...[]
- Make your own game/event/book/community/site
- Focus on real problems such as solving world hunger
- Focus on actual feminist issues such as bride burning in South Asia
It might be sexist but you should shut up and accept it because...[]
Main entry for Shut up and deal with it
- I had to claw my way up, too!
- Focusing on fixing this certain phenomenon is not worthwhile because it won't fix all sexism.
- Women taught us to be that way
- Another woman thinks it was funny
- I am entitled to say anything I want
- He's known for bad behaviour and is trying to provoke you
- It was just one isolated incident
- It was just a horrible mistake
- It's not for women
- They're from a different culture and it's normal there
- The author wanted to provoke emotional responses
- Removing the sexism would be overly politically correct to the point of obfuscation
- Sexuality is a wonderful thing and we shouldn't be ashamed of it
- We didn't expect there would be women present
- It means you are desirable
- There isn't a clear line between appropriate and inappropriate
- You might get sued
- I'm a feminist but even I think this is going too far.
- Those are the rules
- Ostracism is evil so we shouldn't ban anyone from the community, no matter what they do.
I/he/we/they can't help it, because[]
- Main entry for Responsibility dodging
- of alcohol
- of autism
- geeks simply are sexist
- geeks simply are awkward and inept
- sexist behaviour is inherently a part of being male
- I/he/we/they just can't help it!
...it's actually your fault, because...[]
- You chose to attend/read/watch/play it
- You should have known it would happen/be like this
- Your reaction is more intense than is normal and appropriate
Derailment[]
- Feminists are just sexist towards men
- Let's ignore the topic on hand because I need a feminist to explain me something I could have Googled
- You're the bully
- What about lesbians?
- What about the men?
- Isn't excluding men from this group/focusing on women's issues/not giving everyone equal voice just reverse sexism?
- Watch me and my buddies make the best woman puns!
- Hey, would you give a feminist analysis of this thing here?
- Your argument is invalid because..
- you didn't list every incident that's related.
- You are not an insider of the community you are criticizing.
- You're just a woman.
- We shouldn't discuss this because...
- it's too advanced/complicated/esoteric a topic for us simple folks.
- This is boring.
- It happened so long ago, it's not relevant anymore.
- It makes [our] community look bad.
- There are non-sexist, more important parts to focus on.
- The oppression of $GROUP is a much more important issue.
- All geeks regardless of gender are oppressed, so women geeks should not be treated as a special case.
- Whoops, the evidence is gone!
- The opposition are trolls and shouldn't be fed.
- Focusing on the things that need fixing sends a depressing message to women.
Ad hominem and tone arguments[]
- You're crazy
- You're being emotional
- You're the bully
- More flies with honey, i.e. "you should be nicer when you argue"
- Appeal to Martin Luther King, i.e. "You should be more like [a known non-violent activist]"
Women as a whole[]
Feminists as a whole[]
Male feminist allies as a whole[]
- Are only trying to get laid.
- Are not women and are thus incapable of properly understanding and/or promoting feminism.
- Are not masculine and therefore inferior.