By Matt Underwood Republican women suddenly realize they’re surrounded by misogynists? Well, that’s the thing, isn’t it? Many feel like this isn’t a sudden realization at all, but a delayed acknowledgment. They knew. Some seem to have understood, consciously or unconsciously, that being *in* on the system offered a degree of protection *from* the worst of it. “I voted for the racism, not the misogyny!” is a sentiment that’s been heard. The truth is, some of these women may have been misogynists themselves, actively participating and supporting policies and attitudes that belittle or demean other women, or perhaps, all women.
Maybe “suddenly” isn’t the right word. Perhaps “less denial” is more accurate. The shift, if there is one, feels more like a tectonic one, not a lightning strike. These women, in many opinions, cheered on the stripping away of rights, and now, they’re shocked to find the very wolves they helped feed are now circling them. It’s a bit like a twisted version of the old saying, “be careful what you wish for.” It’s hard to sympathize when they’ve been complicit for so long.
Let’s be clear: many think they have always known. The shift is not in the knowledge itself, but perhaps in the ability to publicly acknowledge it. Now that it affects them directly, the awareness is amplified. There are those who feel that these women were perfectly fine with the misogyny until it directly impacted them. This viewpoint suggests that the issue isn’t the misogyny itself, but the personal consequence of it.
Many are pointing out the deeply ingrained nature of this within certain communities. Many Republican women are Evangelical Christians and were indoctrinated from a young age that women, particularly wives, are subordinate to men. This is the foundation upon which their beliefs and actions are often built. They embraced this view early on, so the idea of being “surrounded” by misogynists is, to some, an obvious outcome.
It’s frequently stated that this isn’t a surprise. Many believe that the “grab them by the pussy” party is, in fact, full of misogynists. It’s what they wanted. They were willing to accept this for decades, believing they were “big fish in a little pond,” until they realized some of their colleagues, and perhaps even the party itself, had a deeply ingrained, almost casual, disregard for women.
It seems to be a common perception that these women voted for MAGA and the policies associated with it, and are now dealing with the fallout. They have, in some views, actively chosen a side, participated in the actions, and are now bearing the consequences. The rationalizing is considered nauseating. There’s a distinct lack of sympathy.
This feeling of betrayal, or shock, is often linked to the fact that they were okay with it until they were the ones on the receiving end. The actions have consequences, and it would seem, those consequences are finally affecting the women.
There is a sense that the focus on Republican women is misplaced. The core issue, it is believed, lies in their active participation, the embrace of the views, and the choices they’ve made. The argument is that they’ve always known, but perhaps the personal impact has made them acknowledge it in a new light.
Finally, the suggestion is that they were in on the heist. They just don’t like their cut. This encapsulates the complex feelings surrounding this topic, suggesting that the realization of being surrounded by misogyny may not be a sudden epiphany, but a belated understanding of the consequences of their choices.