The Witches Are Coming Summary

Why do we call them witch hunts when the real witches never had the privilege of surviving them?

1. Revisiting the Term "Witch Hunt"

The term "witch hunt" historically referred to the trials and executions of women, accused mainly by men, between 1450 and 1750. Real witch hunts often ended in death, primarily for women branded as witches. Today, however, the phrase is casually co-opted, often by powerful men feeling threatened, like Donald Trump and others who cry victimhood over public scrutiny.

This modern misuse is deeply ironic. Men accused during the ##metoo era often equate losing their jobs or public reputation to persecution akin to literal witch burnings. However, most of these so-called victims reemerge later in new roles or public life, facing nothing remotely close to the irreversible punishments of true historical witch hunts.

Misappropriating "witch hunt" also shifts focus away from systemic abuses endured by women for centuries. Instead of addressing the lingering effects of patriarchy, some attempt to paint women as new oppressors based on movements like ##metoo, distorting both history and accountability.

Examples

• Joan of Arc was executed after being labeled a witch in 1431, a clear historical witch hunt.
• The ##metoo movement's revelations about Harvey Weinstein were deemed a "witch hunt" by some.
• Trump tweeted "witch hunt" over 200 times, diminishing the gravity of the original term's meaning.

2. Women Don’t Have a "Likeability Problem"

Women aren’t failing due to an inherent failure to be "likeable" enough; they’re up against a society that grants privileges almost exclusively to mediocre men. From Adam Sandler's movie characters repeatedly flopping upwards to Ted Bundy being described as charming post-conviction, society's biases favor men, even in extreme cases.

For example, while serial killer Bundy received praise for being a “bright lawyer,” accomplished women like Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren were criticized for their supposed lack of "likeability." This disparity in societal judgment creates a toxic environment where a woman’s competence is overshadowed by superficial perceptions.

The double standards extend culturally into media and politics, ensuring women must meet impossibly high standards while men skate by with little effort, perpetuating systemic inequalities.

Examples

• Ted Bundy's court judge praised him despite his heinous crimes.
• Adam Sandler characters often mirror the theme of undeserved success.
• Hillary Clinton faced endless media debates over her likeability in 2016, overshadowing her qualifications.

3. Civility Can Be a Shield for Injustice

Calls for "civility" often arise when deeper, inconvenient truths challenge established norms. While the phrase "Why can’t we all just get along?" sounds reasonable, it often serves as a way to dismiss uncomfortable conversations about prejudice and inequality instead of addressing them.

An example is Chip and Joanna Gaines facing criticism for their affiliation with a church advocating conversion therapy for LGBTQ people. Their response avoided addressing the core issue, instead pointing fingers at critics for being "nasty." This tactic shifted the conversation from the harm caused by conversion therapy to the supposed "incivility" of pointing it out.

The problem lies in using civility as a barrier to necessary dialogue about systemic harm. By demanding politeness from those suffering injustice, society consistently prioritizes comfort over change.

Examples

• Chip and Joanna Gaines deflected criticism of their church with calls for civility.
• LGBTQ individuals face vastly disproportionate rates of violence, issues ignored in favor of tone-policing activists.
• Migrant children in detention camps represent systemic harm that civility talk often fails to address.

4. Wellness Privileges Wealthy Women

The burgeoning wellness industry reinforces societal pressures on women, privileging wealthy, white women while ignoring the struggles of marginalized groups. Products like Gwyneth Paltrow’s jade eggs speak more to appearance than actual well-being, perpetuating the patriarchal valuation of women based on beauty.

This industry thrives on the message that women must constantly improve or optimize themselves. Meanwhile, underprivileged women, battling issues like hunger or lack of healthcare access, are excluded from these "self-care" solutions.

Moreover, wellness culture diverts attention from more pressing societal issues. Instead of addressing the root causes of inequality, it places an individual burden on women to fix themselves, rather than the systems failing them.

Examples

• Goop’s jade eggs and crystal-infused water exemplify luxury wellness products.
• Marginalized women face barriers like incarceration and poverty that wellness culture ignores.
• Rising "self-care" trends fail to acknowledge the structural inequalities healthcare reform could tackle.

5. Edgy Humor Can Uphold the Status Quo

South Park’s equal-opportunity satire falsely equates all political and social stances, ignoring the significant harm some ideologies cause. Its “edgy” humor teaches viewers to dismiss all concerns as overly sensitive, prioritizing irreverence over meaningful engagement.

This approach fosters nihilism, where believing in nothing becomes the norm. As a result, real issues get sidelined, while the show's critical dismissal of "snowflakes" and PC culture resonates in alt-right spaces, amplifying their narrative.

Ultimately, what seems humorous erodes discourse. Mocking everything equally isn’t subversive—it merely upholds existing power structures by discouraging belief or action.

Examples

• South Park’s Token, a caricature of tokenism, mocks genuine concerns about diversity.
• Conservative forums adopt South Park’s dismissal of “snowflakes” to label activists.
• Cartman's character normalizes offensive humor under the guise of satire.

6. Political Correctness Isn’t Killing Comedy

Comedians like Louis C.K. weaponized anti-PC outrage to paint themselves as victims while ignoring their own problematic behavior. Post-##metoo, several male comedians have resisted addressing their role in perpetuating harm while still demanding audiences laugh without critique.

Louis C.K.’s abusive history created harm that his "comeback" ignored. Instead of self-reflection, he turned to mocking survivors, further alienating himself from progressive values he once claimed to champion.

True comedy thrives on evolving with cultural norms, not resisting them. By failing to adapt, such comedians stifle creativity and perpetuate outdated standards.

Examples

• Louis C.K. mocked Parkland survivors during his comeback sets.
• Ricky Gervais labeled critiques of offensive humor as censorship.
• The Simpsons faced backlash for refusing to retire the stereotypical character Apu.

7. Abortion Deserves Normalization

Abortion carries widespread stigma, even among supporters of women’s rights. Liberals qualifying abortion as "safe, legal, and rare" inadvertently reinforce the notion that the procedure is shameful or undesirable.

Movements like ##shoutyourabortion combat this narrative by encouraging women to share their abortion stories without apology. This challenges lingering societal expectations that women must feel remorse over their choices.

Amid renewed threats to Roe v. Wade, creating a society that truly normalizes abortion becomes urgent. Shifting public perception is necessary to preserve the accessibility and dignity of women’s reproductive rights.

Examples

• PBS pulled a Degrassi episode in 2004 because a character felt no guilt over her abortion.
• ##shoutyourabortion gained momentum in 2015 to destigmatize abortion.
• The Trump administration advocated repealing Roe v. Wade, intensifying restrictions.

8. Men Created Patriarchy – They Must Dismantle It

Men often defer to women to "fix" gender inequality without acknowledging that they built and maintain the very structures that perpetuate injustice. It’s not enough for men to passively agree with feminism; they must actively challenge these systems.

For instance, men can strike or refuse work until the gender pay gap closes. Beyond activism, men need to create equitable domestic environments, taking equal roles in raising children and household responsibilities.

Simply believing or backing women is a start, but dismantling patriarchy requires consistent, active engagement from those who benefit most from its existence.

Examples

• Male workers could strike to demand workplace pay equity.
• Fathers doing greater household labor sets an equitable standard for future generations.
• Online spaces actively confronting misogyny shift dialogue over time.

9. Activism Requires Using Your Privilege

Societal change relies on everyone leveraging their own privilege to help those without it. This means confronting uncomfortable truths and admitting personal roles in unequal systems. For example, white feminist spaces need to foster inclusivity by amplifying diverse voices.

Similarly, allies across intersectional lines—white, straight, cisgender—can advocate for reform by pushing to elevate marginalized communities. True allyship lies in taking action without waiting for someone else to lead.

Breaking oppressive systems like patriarchy demands shared responsibility and acknowledgment of inequality’s multifaceted manifestations.

Examples

• Straight allies advocating for LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination legislation.
• White feminists amplifying voices of marginalized women at events or panels.
• Cisgender individuals backing trans rights in contested public spaces.

Takeaways

1. Report and call out misogyny online or in person, holding people accountable for harmful remarks or actions.
2. Incorporate intersectionality into activism by listening to and amplifying voices from marginalized communities.
3. Use your privileges—whether racial, gendered, or financial—to advocate for systemic reforms like equal pay or reproductive rights.