Men’s rights movement activists call for change
By Sharon Miki, Humour Editor
Nearly half a dozen men gathered en masse outside a Starbucks on Monday to advocate against the upcoming month of April. The protestors—who claimed to be supporters of the men’s rights movement (MRM)—argued that the old adage “April showers bring May flowers” is evidence that springtime is discriminatory towards males.
“If we’re expected to just accept that Mother Nature is rewarding women with stuff they like—for example, May flowers—then shouldn’t men be getting something, too? Isn’t that equal rights?” asked MRM advocate Beau Lightly, 22.
The MRM is a movement that supports the equal rights of men in the face of the stark oppression, disadvantage, and discrimination that they feel men face on a daily basis.
Indeed, Lightly feels that as a straight, affluent, white male living in Canada, he faces the most oppression of all in society. “Just because I was born into privilege and I live my life without the fear, prejudice, and inequality that women do because of their gender doesn’t mean that I don’t suffer. In fact, I’d argue that because my privilege is invisible, I sometimes can’t even see it!”
According to the protestors, that ubiquitous acceptance of the “April showers” adage shows an unacceptable level of favouritism towards women.
“The manosphere is simply asking that everyone start talking about ‘March Madness brings April sports’ as a way to equalize the situation,” said protestor Luke Mandsome. “Get it? Because most dudes like sports? Bam. Equality.”
Neither Mandsome nor Lightly had comment on how they would proceed come Mother’s Day.
