The people who unironically believe "Not All Men" love to posture themselves as being fair and neutral because how could it be all men? They think of the men in their lives who they have good relationships with and picture them doing the things women are afraid of and it scares them. Sometimes it even makes them angry. Because when you say "men do X" you're including the men who they like and that offends them.
Why have they never thought of how many men it must be to make women be afraid of them ALL? If it really is so rare and uncommon why do women feel afraid to exist? Why are they afraid to take walks alone? Wear certain clothes? Why are they afraid to live alone? Why are they afraid of being alone with a man they don't know? Why would they trust an unknown woman with their children before an unknown man? Why do women need women only locker rooms, trains, shelters and colleges? why are we afraid to say no? How many men must it be that we literally build our entire lives around how to avoid being a victim.
I think the reality that it could be any man scares them. It could be their dad, brother, grandpa, friend, cousin, boyfriend, their own son. One day it could just randomly happen. No matter how much you think you know them you don't. You don't know who they are when they think no one is watching. That scares them so they think that it can't be ALL men. It's wishful thinking.
Class consciousness is not only beneficial to women because it creates community, it's vital to our growth and survival. Acknowledging the violence men are capable of is not paranoia, it's accepting reality. Reality is terrifying.
Not all men, but it could be any of them.
