Based on the input of a number of people, I would like to clarify my views on feminism.

First a bit of background. I had negative experiences with feminists. They were nasty to me. I got called such things as a misogynist and a male pig.

No, I am not a misogynist. I translated books of poetry by three Russian women poets into English. I’ve worked under women bosses. I admire the works of Mary Shelley, Elizabeth Browning, Edna St. Vincent-Millay, Dorothy Parker and Ayn Rand. I supported Hillary Clinton’s bid for president. I had an equal-power relationship with my wife, and I’ve been a loving father to my daughter.

More people need to know not to cry wolf. If you accuse me of being a misogynist, you make yourself and others not credible when met with a real one. I have dealt with misogynists. They called me a pussywhipped idiot and a male feminist. These women need to know more men like them in order to have things in perspective.

Even so I am sympathetic to the goals of feminism. A woman who doesn’t want to depend on a man should have that option in life. I have a daughter. I don’t want her to wind up a punching bag for some jerk. But neither do I want her to be abused by other women in the workplace, as happened to my former wife. A woman who is dependent on a man would be in a bad way if the man chooses to act like a bastard. But she would be also dealing with many bastards if she were to have a career.

Feminists need to stop attacking wrong people. Right now, they attack men nearest the liberal centers of learning and culture who are the least misogynistic men out there, while failing to confront men who are genuinely misogynistic. These, in turn, use misconduct by feminists to press their case that women are evil and should be kept down. I have not seen feminists taking on these men. I have, and so to a much greater extent has my former wife. She got no help in it from the feminists. It is easier to yell at me than it is to confront real enemies.

So I would like to clarify where I stand. I support the goals of feminism. I oppose their tactics. I do not deserve to be called a misogynist. If you attack someone who does not wish you ill, you leave way for someone who does. And of these there are plenty.