Margaret Atwood Thinks the #MeToo Movement Needs an Etiquette Book
The #MeToo movement can be confusing to navigate. It seems that every aspect of the way men and women interact is being examined and rethought. Fortunately, legendary author and perennial “bad” feminist Margaret Atwood has a solution that will help men navigate social interactions in a #MeToo world: an etiquette book.
“There used to be a lot of etiquette books on how to behave,” Atwood said in a recent interview with the BBC. “Those seem to have gone out of the window,” she lamented. “I think it can help men to understand what may possibly be expected of them in the behavior department.”
Back in mid-January, Atwood published an op-ed that questioned the direction in which the feminist movement was headed. Were women doing harm by finding men guilty of misconduct in the court of public opinion without allowing them due process? Atwood asked the question, and the internet responded, with a resounding “no.”
Good morning everyone! Just here to say I would rather eat my own computer and then my own face than read something by Margaret Atwood with the title "Am I a Bad Feminist?" okay cool thanks bye
— emma healey (@emmafromtoronto) January 13, 2018
Margaret Atwood's latest op-ed is a very, very clear reminder that old cis white women are not to be trusted. They care more about poor widdle accused men than they do about actual fucking rape victims. They spend as much time advocating for rapists as they do attacking victims.
— Social Justice Warlock #TransIsBeautiful (@charllandsberg) January 13, 2018
I’m so disappointed in Margaret Atwood, but mostly I’m fed up with older women not having younger women’s backs.
— Olivia (@oliviasview) January 13, 2018
In her first broadcast interview since the backlash, Atwood addressed the complicated nature of the current situation. Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, she explained, the feminist movement was going full steam ahead, and the backlash against its shortcomings didn’t come until later. But today, with social media playing a major role in disseminating information and discussion, Atwood says that the #MeToo movement is moving at “full steam ahead” with the backlash happening at the same time. But even so, she doesn’t think it’s enough.
“‘Me Too’ only works as a tool or as a weapon in certain circumstances: In the entertainment industry, CEOs of publicly traded corporations and politics,” said Atwood. “Only when there are public figures who are subject to public opinion is this an effective weapon.”
She also talked about change.
“There are some things we’re going to need to fix, I would say in three areas,” said Atwood. “One of them being courts of law. One of them being large institutions and corporations. And one of them being personal behavior.”
And what better way to help guide behavior than an etiquette book?
“We used to be bombarded with them in the ’50s,” said Atwood. “So where is the Mr. Manners?”
The idea seems a tad outdated, and Atwood herself admits that she’s not the one to be calling the shots these days. When asked what would be in an etiquette guide for 2018, Atwood had some wise words:
“I think we will let younger people deal with that, because I’m 78.”
Good call, Peggy, good call.
What do you think of Atwood’s idea? Tell us @britandco.
(Photo by Hannelore Foerster/Getty)
