Thank You Paul Elam

Although I've not visited AVFM for quite some time, I still have an appreciation for the work that they do. Some time ago, AVFM changed the name of their movement from the Men's Rights Movement, for which I had a modicum of support to the Human Men's Rights Movement. It seemed like a petty change, but, it meant that ideologically, they were aligning with Human Rights, identity politics. It made me uneasy to see them taking this direction, even knowing that some of the leaders of the site are libertarian leaning. Karen Straughan and Paul himself are two that come to mind.

So, even though I felt that they were alienating a lot of Manosphere people, like me, I could see what they were doing as an important step forward for men's rights, or rather, the anti-feminist movement as a whole. To look like a worthy movement, you need to have an organization that follows the norms of society. The norms, at this moment, are a sticky mess of politically correct rules about proper discourse. If the rules are not followed and the wrong kind of words are allowed to be spoken, the main-stream media will automatically write everything off as hateful, backward, harmful, evil and whatever terms they save for the most vile creatures with whom they would rather not share the world’s oxygen. It's a good thing that the entire planet is covered in a layer of oxygenated atmosphere, because, if leftists could remove a person's right to breathe the air, they would.

So, when Paul allowed his site to become a bastion for Men, as an oppressed class, ideologues and began moderating comments, I understood why, even as I became disenfranchised from it. I commented along these lines at Chapin's Inferno. I realized when they began moderating comments on simple discussions between disagreeing parties, such as Greg Swann and Steve Moxon that it was not a place that I'd like to hang out. When the moderator pled for Greg to "stick around" while deleting his arguments, I laughed. How can you expect someone to participate in a site when you've sent the loudest possible message that they are not welcome?

So, I said adieu to AVFM. I could still follow Typhon Blue and Karen Straughan on their You Tube accounts; while AVFM became one of those sites I just stopped visiting - not because I made a conscious decision, just because it didn't seem worth my time anymore. I knew what men were facing, for me, it was more about politics. Men's issues and fighting the feminist regime are only one part of my goals, but, I see the importance of a site that focusses on men's issues while following the church of political correctness's rules. The vast majority of men have not learned about the problems with feminism. They still believe that women are all oppressed by all men, even if only sub-consciously. They've prostrated themselves to allow room for gentler women and then they wonder why they are getting stomped on. Even leftist men are suffering and they need help.

A socialist man simple writes off any conservative or libertarian speaker who tries to raise men's issues. But, they still live under the lies of feminism and suffer. They still meat out abuse to their sons by denying them the ability to feel proud of whom they are while being unable to discipline their daughters leading to sons with poor self-esteem and daughters with poor self-control. They back down when their wives or girlfriends get angry in every single argument and wonder why they end up losing their respect. AVFM is still, open to these men, once they open their eyes, ever so slightly, to the realities of women the feminist regime has hidden. Once they start to witness the truth of feminism, it is possible that the truth of leftism as a whole will begin to creep into their minds. Well, maybe I’m thinking wishfully, but it is inevitable that some will realize that pitting one interest group against another is not going to produce anything worthwhile.

So, Paul wanted media attention. Now he has it. When ABC pounds AVFM with a sledge hammer and then dances around the ring celebrating victory, won't they be surprised when AVFM gets off the canvas and yanks the sledgehammer out of their hands. They can't knock them out, because AVFM has built themselves according to the rules of the church. When people see the sincerity of the folks at AVFM, and I don't doubt their sincerity, combined with the lack of so-called "hate speech", the tide will turn. When every accusation from SPLC rings flat and more stories of male victimization or unfairness rings true, another hole in the veil of feminism will be exposed. Paul had his media friendly message ready and they can't deny the truth that he presents.

Here is where Chapin's points are worth mentioning. Men will never garner as much sympathy as women.  Our biological tendency to protect and sympathize with women will make many laugh when men stand up and say they've been wronged. But, when they see how feminism has exploited this tendency, more will realize that identity politics as a whole is just a power grab. Again, this may be over optimistic. Maybe it is impossible for people to want to stand up as individuals when they can push government to give themselves more and then blame government when things go bad. Taking responsibility is not in everyone's immediate best interest when there is always more money to be taken from “evil rich people”. Until you realize that the evil rich people are the ones running government so they'll never ruin their own interests.

Still, feminism is the biggest dealer in the feel-good drug of leftist politics. Along with other identity politics groups, anti-poverty groups and environmentalists, they trick people into feeling guilty and bad about them and then give them a shot of euphoric accomplishment by voting for the right candidate or donating to the charity. The money or votes, however, are accomplishing nothing but empty emotions and ceaseless dependency. It entrenches the power of the government and starves the working class of jobs while claiming that they help them.

So, Paul's plan is working. Did he expect to be given respect right off the bat? I don't think so, unless he thinks the bat coming down on his head is a sign of respect. Take your licks Mr. Elam and get back in the fight. In the end, even the conservatives who are laughing will have your back. For as long as you speak truth, your message will help everyone.

Addendum: I wrote this piece before it was supposed to air, but, wasn’t able to publish it until after. Apparently, the 20/20 piece wasn’t aired. I can’t imagine that someone at ABC actually found something wrong with the report and decided it wasn’t worthy for television.