Okay, so here’s Part 2 in which, as promised I share some of the things men have said to me that just go to prove their PWM standing, though in some cases it’s more a case of just sheer stupidity, I’ll let you decide which is which. Of course, there are levels of PWM extremism which is why I’ve given two definitions in some cases, also remember, some men are like this because they don’t know better and some are like this because they believe that they already know best. Don’t cast them all in the same depth of shade.
| What he says | What he means |
| You seem to have misunderstood … | You’re wrong and it’s your fault |
| I didn’t intend … | It’s not my fault |
| … it’s a longstanding trademark… | And I’m not going to change |
| … my lack of protocol is legendary… | I’ll do what I want regardless |
| … I wasn’t bypassing you … | I can’t see it so it can’t matter
OR I was, and I don’t care |
| … I suppose this is typical of me … | I’ve no intention of changing |
| I’ve never experienced… | Therefore, it didn’t happen |
| I haven’t seen that | You made it up |
| It’s just me being me | You must make allowances
OR I don’t see why I should change |
| What you need to understand is… | Your tiny female brain can’t cope with the big male facts |
| Don’t worry your pretty little head… | You’re a bimbo with no brain, let the big clever man take care of things |
| It’s not equality they’re looking for, it’s female privilege | How dare any woman think they’re as good as me
OR I’m higher up the ladder than my skills warrant and I’m under threat. |
| … shouldn’t dress provocatively. | It’s women’s fault that I can’t control my sexual urges |
| Why Privileged White Males? Isn’t that racist? If I posted about … I’d be banned | You’re discriminating against me and I’m going to whine about it. |
| I don’t have to put up with your attacks. Adieu! | I can’t find a way to counter the valid statement you just made so I’m flouncing out. |
Should you want to put the cherry on the cake of the PWM character – and let’s face it PWMs think they all deserve the cherry – you could always have him use a number of the above phrases in a so-called ‘apology’ then email mutual connections of some description to tell them how he tried and so that “everyone can appreciate [his] grovelling.”
What now follows is quotes from other people who shared their experiences with me,
| What they said | What I heard |
| Don’t want a baby? Keep your legs shut. | Birth control is not my responsibility. |
| Slavery’s not too bad, they were housed, fed, and clothed | Humans who aren’t like me are worth less, may not even be human. |
| Can’t do anything without it being some kind of sexual assault! | I don’t respect women and should be able to grab what I want, when I want. |
| There’s no such thing as the gender pay gap | Women aren’t as skilled as men so aren’t worth the same pay |
As mentioned, feel free to use any of the above for inspiration, but here are two quotes from Val Portelli and her book “Story of A Country Boy”, that illustrate exactly what I’m talking about:Another perennial that I’m sure more then than a few can identify with, probably anyone who isn’t a privileged white male, in fact, is the repeating of your idea as if it’s their own. Love that one.
‘… when I asked what was for dinner, she had the cheek to tell me to make it myself! Well, if that didn’t deserve a slap I don’t know what did.’
‘She didn’t apologise, but the next morning I came down to find a proper cooked English breakfast so I forgave her.’
Before anyone screams, yes – I know not all men are like this. I’ve given extreme definitions to illustrate the point. I suspect that this blog will offend a man or two, but if it does, perhaps those men should stop for a moment and question why they find this offensive. I find parts of this offensive because it’s been used against me. I find parts of this offensive because it’s been used against others.
The unfortunate truth is that privileged white males exist. As it is a part of human experience there will be people who want to write about it, which is why I’m putting this out as what to consider if you want to portray a written character as a privileged white male. In real life, most men, thankfully, do not think or act this way and hopefully, in a generation or two, none of them will.
The Write Route 