Hey, I've been lurking SRS lately and I find it definitely a fascinating subreddit. On the one hand, I think the intentions are, more or less, pretty noble. Lots of things on this site are completely inappropriate and yet are totally accepted.
but
There's obviously a lot of SRS hate on the site, and I think that a lot of that stems from people misunderstanding SRS. People take the clearly satirical comments as genuine. What this can do is paint this image that feminism is about man-hating, finger-pointing, mocking, and not critical conversation and equality. Basically, people who don't understand SRS will reinforce the "feminazi" image that stops people who really do agree with the tenets of feminism from calling themself that because they see feminism portrayed so poorly.
So I guess my question is: do you guys think that what you're doing might harm feminism's reputation (on reddit at the least) due to people misinterpreting your goals?
(and before it gets pointed out, i read the rules in the sidebar and I'm not sure if this counts as a violation of Rule I. if it does, i apologize in advance. i'd be interested to see the many conversations on this topic or similar ones that it says have already occurred)
dumb edit: title should've said "to its cause"
edit again: Another thing; might feminists who come across SRS without realizing how it works come to genuinely feel and believe much of the hatred that SRS spews towards men? (That is to say, might SRS members who don't understand the satirical nature come to actually believe what SRS often hatefully says in its comments and thus become more hateful?)
likely my last edit: the comments have been a bit discouraging. i feel i don't understand this subreddit any more than i did coming into this post. i guess i just can't understand the idea that it's ever better stoop to the level of intolerant people to prove a point—just explain what they're doing wrong compassionately. i know you don't think people will ever learn because you've created this idea that you're either with SRS or you're a "shitlord"—an incurable misogynist transphobic whatever who can never be taught to know better. i bet there are posters among your ranks who used to use the kind of rhetoric that you guys call out on SRS but learned that it was wrong and came to improve themself, but you guys aren't seeking to make anyone what's wrong, you just want to hurt feelings of the people that hurt your feelings. are there emotional justifications? sure. does this help the battle for equality? no, it hurts it. make your enemy your ally. stop the false dichotomy between you and them. we're all people. don't demonize someone when they might learn to improve themself.