Elliot Rodger is seen in a self-recorded YouTube video titled “Why do girls hate me so much?”
Friday’s killings were caused by women.
That’s what 22-year-old Elliot Rodger, who killed six people then himself in a California neighborhood on Friday night, claimed in an online video.
In the seven-minute rant, posted less than a day before his rampage began, Rodger said he was a virgin and would take revenge against women, who “have never been attracted to me.” He went on to say, “If I can’t have you girls, I will destroy you.” During the spree, he tried to gain access to a sorority house and shot to death two women standing nearby.
In response, a female Twitter user created the hashtag #YesAllWomen for women to express their common experiences with misogyny, frustrations with entitlement and their fears about men.
Guys, I’m going to be tweeting under the #YesAllWomen hashtag. Let’s discuss what “not all men” might do, but women must fear.
— Kaye M. (@gildedspine) May 24, 2014
Women spoke candidly about rape culture:
Because when a guy kills six people because he’s a virgin and women reject him, he’s met with sympathy. #YesAllWomen pic.twitter.com/elZfnRTi5T
— Bekah (@RebekahBolser) May 25, 2014
Because rape is blamed on alcohol, clothes, being too friendly or too pretty, etc. & not on the rapist. #YesAllWomen
— Ava Jae (@Ava_Jae) May 24, 2014
And learning to fear violence from men:
#YesAllWomen have learned how to defend themselves with their keys if they are assaulted in a parking lot.
— Gina Denny (@ginad129) May 24, 2014
As well as men’s role in preventing violence against women:
#YesAllWomen are taught safety tips to prevent rape but not all men are taught about consent. pic.twitter.com/NLFZklK3As — Elizabeth Plank (@feministabulous) May 24, 2014
Men following the thread also took notice:
Started reading the #YesAllWomen tweets b/c I’ve got a daughter, but now I see I should be reading them b/c I’ve got two sons. — Albert W Dubreuil (@awdubreuil) May 25, 2014
The takeaway message:
Some takeaways from #YesAllWomen for men: Listen. Give space. We are not playing hard to get. We are afraid. Be mindful. We owe you nothing. — Katherine Locke (@Bibliogato) May 25, 2014
The Southern Poverty Law Center reported that Rodgerfrequented an online forum known for misogyny, and talked about women as objects he could not obtain. An attorney for Rodger’s parentstold ABC News that they had contacted police after seeing Rodger’s videos on YouTube, and that their son had been in therapy.
Last month, a 16-year-old boy was charged in the stabbing death of a female classmate for reportedly rejecting his invitation to prom.
