Women’s rights have become a key focus in the US election, especially after Donald Trump took credit for overturning Roe v Wade. This landmark decision, which protected access to reproductive healthcare, was reversed after Trump appointed conservative judges to the Supreme Court.
Amid this political backdrop, award-winning cartoonist Mike Luckovich captured the significance of the election for women’s rights in a powerful political cartoon inspired by Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale.
The illustration resonated deeply with many, including Atwood herself, who shared the image on social media. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with people praising the cartoon’s relevance. However, not all replies were supportive. Some responses, especially from Trump supporters, took a different turn.
One now-deleted comment quickly gained attention for its sheer audacity. A user named FacesOutOfContext tweeted: “The author of that book used Islam, not Christianity, as a model for her imaginary world. This is obviously true, as it resembles Islamic culture and law, and not Christian.”
The Height of Mansplaining
It’s almost expected that whenever a woman shares her opinion online, an influx of men will appear to challenge and troll her. There are countless examples: one man tried to explain gynaecology to a female gynaecologist, while another attempted to correct a woman on her own height during an argument on Twitter.
But this latest incident might just win the ‘mansplaining’ crown. A man attempted to explain The Handmaid’s Tale to Margaret Atwood – the author who conceived and wrote the book herself.
Social Media’s Reaction
When Atwood shared an opinion piece from The Guardian on The Handmaid’s Tale, one user responded with the now-infamous comment: “I think you and I were watching different shows…”
Attempting to ‘correct’ Atwood on the very story she created is the height of irony. Fortunately, social media users didn’t let this slip by unnoticed, calling out the absurdity of the comment and defending Atwood’s authority over her own work.
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