LETTER: Latent misogyny a reality that most women face

SIR – The harrowing stories that have emerged as women speak out about the harassment and abuse that they have experienced as a result of the deep-seated misogyny within our society, does not, as Mr Sullivan suggests (Letters, December 2nd), equate to ‘ridiculing’ men.  

I’m not even sure where to begin addressing this issue, but I think it is very telling that Mr Sullivan’s response took the form of an open letter in which he attempted to publicly undermine me by calling me, among other things ‘flimsy’, ‘ridiculous’, and  ‘an embarrassment’ to human beings worldwide’. 

This public shaming technique may have worked historically to silence women and, to be fair, it did so very effectively. 

However, it has no place whatsoever in the here and now of the 21st century, and most especially, it has no place in the context of the current debate. 

To give Mr Sullivan the benefit of the doubt, I will add that I think this latent misogyny is so pervasive and rooted in our society that men are oftentimes completely oblivious to their casual use of what are effectively deeply misogynistic techniques to undermine the reality of the female voice. 

Mr Sullivan may find this ‘ridiculous’ but unfortunately this latent misogyny is a reality that most women face in one form or another throughout the entire course of their lives. Therefore, when we see it, we will talk about it, and you, Mr Sullivan, and all those like you, you will not silence us.

Yours,

Anne Crossey,

President of the 

West Cork 

Philosophical Society,

Skibbereen.