Twitter Responds To Santa Barbara Shootings With #YesAllWomen Hashtag
The tragedy in California has stirred a powerful reaction on social media.
In the wake of the killings in Isla Vista, it emerged that Elliot Rodger, the perpetrator, frequented "men's rights" forums.
In one YouTube video, he said, "I don't know why you girls have never been attracted to me, but I will punish you all for it. It's an injustice, a crime, because I don't know what you don't see in me. I'm the perfect guy, and yet you throw yourselves at all these obnoxious men, instead of me, the supreme gentleman."
Rodger went on to stab three men to death in his apartment before shooting dead two women and a man. He then turned the gun on himself.
Some people on social media appeared to express sympathy for Rodger.
In response, #YesAllWomen began to trend on Twitter last night. The hashtag began as a response to traditional male rights' activists complaints such as "friend-zoning".
#YesAllWomen b/c not returning someone's feelings, or as society calls it putting them in the "friend zone", should not make me feel guilty
Business Sam@Sam_SlagleFollow
#YesAllWomen b/c not returning someone's feelings, or as society calls it putting them in the "friend zone", should not make me feel guilty
1:48 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
But now wider concerns are being aired. They include harassment — physical or otherwise...
Just thinking about how my latest ex would be responding to #YesAllWomen, I am urgently relieved he's out of my life forever.
Blink@nobonobosFollow
Just thinking about how my latest ex would be responding to #YesAllWomen, I am urgently relieved he's out of my life forever.
2:06 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
Because I now wear shorts under dresses in crowded bars after being groped and even penetrated by unseen hands. #YesAllWomen
Laura@LauraLikesWineFollow
Because I now wear shorts under dresses in crowded bars after being groped and even penetrated by unseen hands. #YesAllWomen
6:33 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
#YesAllWomen have had a man deliberately press his groin against them in a crowded bus (I was 12).
Paola Kathuria@paolabilityFollow
#YesAllWomen have had a man deliberately press his groin against them in a crowded bus (I was 12).
6:55 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
I was 12, a cashier gave me slurpees in exchange for "hugs". Never went there again after he pulled me into his lap. #YesAllWomen
Summer Anne Burton@summeranneFollow
I was 12, a cashier gave me slurpees in exchange for "hugs". Never went there again after he pulled me into his lap.
#YesAllWomen
6:00 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
I doubt I know a woman who saw that YouTube today and wasn't reminded of a man she's rejected who then scared her with anger. #YesAllWomen
Ryan Case@film114Follow
I doubt I know a woman who saw that YouTube today and wasn't reminded of a man she's rejected who then scared her with anger. #YesAllWomen
6:31 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
...and gender relations, among others.
Because we teach girls to dress decent instead of teaching boys to act decent. #YesAllWomen
Laurène@LaurneOrozcoFollow
Because we teach girls to dress decent instead of teaching boys to act decent. #YesAllWomen
6:46 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
Because my mother was a victim of domestic violence and when she spoke out not one male police officer lent a helping hand #YesAllWomen
✨melanie✨@cholatellaFollow
Because my mother was a victim of domestic violence and when she spoke out not one male police officer lent a helping hand #YesAllWomen
6:36 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
#yesallwomen because the phrase "you __________ like a girl" is still an insult
leah@weIIingtonkissFollow
#yesallwomen because the phrase "you __________ like a girl" is still an insult
5:38 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
At the time of writing, the hashtag was the top trend on Twitter with nearly 150,000 people using it.
#YesAllWomen because we're taught to fear if we don't do everything "right" we asked for it if we get raped.
Laurie Moody@ljmBAMAfanFollow
#YesAllWomen because we're taught to fear if we don't do everything "right" we asked for it if we get raped.
2:06 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
Because some people's response to a fictional character was death threats against the actor who portrayed her. #SkylerWhite #YesAllWomen
Barbara Haynes@barbhaynesFollow
Because some people's response to a fictional character was death threats against the actor who portrayed her. #SkylerWhite #YesAllWomen
7:05 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
Because I'm tired of being referred to as a "female engineer". Just an engineer, thanks. #YesAllWomen
Bekki@pixelvixenFollow
Because I'm tired of being referred to as a "female engineer". Just an engineer, thanks. #YesAllWomen
6:45 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
Not all of the tweets were written by women.
Because the time between news of the mass shooting and a guy declaring the killer had a valid grievance was probably under 10s #YesAllWomen
Dean Burnett@garwboyFollow
Because the time between news of the mass shooting and a guy declaring the killer had a valid grievance was probably under 10s #YesAllWomen
7:18 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
Because the friendzone is the fictional exile of the entitled. “Sexual partner” is not a woman’s default mode. #yesallwomen
Harrison Mooney@HarrisonMooneyFollow
Because the friendzone is the fictional exile of the entitled. “Sexual partner†is not a woman’s default mode. #yesallwomen
6:51 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
It forms a counterpoint to the "Not All Men" meme that grew in popularity earlier this year.
Because men reading this will think "yes some women" #YesAllWomen
Bongo@alyybongoFollow
Because men reading this will think "yes some women" #YesAllWomen
6:36 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
Because a lot of you are reading these and thinking "ugh yeah, we get it. Calm down." #YesAllWomen
Christine Nangle@nanglishFollow
Because a lot of you are reading these and thinking "ugh yeah, we get it. Calm down." #YesAllWomen
6:25 AM - 25 May 14RetweetFavorite
Note: BuzzFeed has received permission from all those featured in this post to use their tweets.
An earlier version of this post said Roger shot dead three women after stabbing three men to death. In fact two women and one man were shot dead. Thirteen other people were injured, eight of them from gunshot wounds and four others by blunt trauma sustained after being struck by the attacker's vehicle.
-
Alan White is a news editor for BuzzFeed News and is based in London.
Contact Alan White at alan.white@buzzfeed.com.
Got a confidential tip? Submit it here.
