The internet has spawned subtle forms of influence that can flip a person’s morals, and manipulate everything we say or do. This new form of mind control doesn’t just afflict the ignorant, it uplifts those who inflict hatred through making them feel as if their hatred is justified as that idea is being normalized. This is nothing short of a virus. Some of us may be immune to it, but some are willing hosts of this virus.
Social media has become a platform that has given voice to marginalized groups. Unfortunately, this includes those who feed off of hatred despite being full of it themselves, and are exploiting this tool at their disposal. A prevalent example of this would be Andrew Tate. Andrew Tate can be described as the physical embodiment of toxic masculinity. Andrew Tate was formally a kickboxer, who emphasizes that he has experienced poverty when he was younger which is a factor that heavily resonates and attracts young men who are open to radicalisation from social media. Though having a somewhat successful kickboxing career, his fame had only risen through his incitements of hatred on social media. Tate not only advocates for misogyny, but he simultaneously combines it with flaunting his lavish lifestyle which in turn sends a message to young, and easily influenced men that even if they have these perspectives on women, it is not impossible for them to still “succeed” in life. This justification causes a destructive effect not just on the internet, but on society as a whole. When an individual who is outspoken, and advocates for an ideology that has been dictated as harmful, and there isn’t a strong enough opposing force to combat it, the situation becomes normalized, those who inflict this hatred believe that it is their god given right to express their destructive animosity.
It seems that Tate’s viewers and supporters can hardly define what misogyny, or sexism is, let alone understanding its pernicious effects. Let's define these terms. Sexism is a form of discrimination targeted towards an individual’s gender which reinforces harmful stereotypes, and unequal power dynamics through suggesting one sex is superior to the other. Misogyny is essentially prejudice against women that often serves to keep women at a lower status than men, thereby maintaining patriarchal social roles. It can be manifested through violence, sexual harassment, psychological control, and social exclusion. Lets bring up some highlights of Tate’s short lasting, but destructive career and see if there are any distinguishing differences from these definitions. “I'm a realist and when you're a realist, you're sexist. There's no way you can be rooted in reality and not be sexist.", he has described women as "intrinsically lazy" and said there was "no such thing as an independent female", and Tate was banned from Twitter for saying women should "bear responsibility" for being sexually assaulted. At last, he has admitted himself that he was an “absolute misogynist". If a relation can’t be identified here, you may have fallen victim to the virus.