CHICAGO (AP) — In the wake of the recent presidential election, 19-year-old political science student Sadie Perez has started carrying pepper spray on her college campus. Her mother, concerned for the safety of her daughters, also purchased self-defense kits that include keychain spikes, hidden knives, and personal alarms.
This heightened vigilance comes amid a rise in misogynistic rhetoric propagated by far-right “manosphere” influencers who have interpreted Republican Donald Trump’s election victory as justification for their harmful views. Adopting a perverse twist on the 1960s pro-choice slogan, some have begun declaring “Your body, my choice” in online spaces and in-person interactions with women.
For many women, these words symbolize a troubling escalation of hostility toward their rights and autonomy.
“It’s disheartening that I feel the need to carry pepper spray everywhere,” said Perez, who studies in Wisconsin. “Women deserve to feel secure, not threatened.”
A Surge in Violent Language Online
Isabelle Frances-Wright, director of technology and society at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, noted a sharp rise in misogynistic rhetoric immediately following the election. She described the language as not only pervasive but often disturbingly violent.
“Many progressive women are taken aback by how quickly this rhetoric has spread and intensified,” she said.
The slogan “Your body, my choice” gained traction after it was posted on the platform X by Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist and far-right internet personality. Fuentes’ post, viewed 35 million times within 24 hours, quickly spread to other platforms, including TikTok, where women reported an influx of hateful comments. In some cases, boys chanted the slogan in middle schools, and it was also heard on college campuses.
Real-World Impact of Online Threats
The phrase has also appeared offline, with instances of harassment being reported across the country. School districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota issued warnings to parents about the language, and online marketplaces like Amazon pulled merchandise bearing the phrase.
Mary Ziegler, a reproductive rights expert and law professor at the University of California, Davis, explained that the phrase is a twisted attack on women’s autonomy.
“The underlying message is that men should control women or have unfettered access to them,” Ziegler said.
सम्बंधित ख़बरें
The hateful rhetoric has manifested in even darker ways. Anonymous users on platforms like 4chan have made calls for violent actions and policies reminiscent of dystopian narratives like The Handmaid’s Tale.
Frances-Wright emphasized the link between online discourse and real-world threats, noting that such rhetoric has previously fueled hate crimes, including racially motivated attacks.
Gender Dynamics and Political Shifts
The election results have emboldened segments of men who view Trump’s victory as a vindication of traditional gender roles. Trump’s campaign leaned heavily on themes of masculinity, which resonated with some young men feeling displaced by societal progress in gender equity.
Dana Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, noted that this tension is exacerbated by broader socioeconomic challenges.
“Young men see women’s achievements as a threat, blaming them for their struggles rather than reflecting on systemic issues,” Brown said.
A Call to Resist Fear
Despite the challenges, Perez finds strength in her support network of friends and family. She encourages other women to resist intimidation and continue advocating for their rights.
“We can’t let fear silence us,” she said. “We need to speak up and push back against this rhetoric.”
This article was independently written and does not replicate AP content verbatim.