Policy Press

Policy Press LogoBrisol University Press Logo

CTRL HATE DELETE

CTRL HATE DELETE

The New Anti-Feminist Backlash and How We Fight It

By Cécile Simmons

  • Description

    How did Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s divorce become the centre of the anti-#MeToo backlash? Why have so many teen boys fallen under the thrall of Andrew Tate, a failed reality show contestant? And why are a growing number of influencers like #tradwives dressing up like 1950s housewives and preaching total subservience to men?

    In the years since #MeToo – the largest social media facilitated feminist campaign in history – Roe v. Wade has been overturned in the United States, there have been attacks on reproductive rights in multiple countries and female political leaders have withdrawn from the world stage citing the level of abuse they get as a reason.

    CTRL, HATE, DELETE takes a deep dive into how a collection of misogynists and their allies have turned male supremacist ideology from a niche set of beliefs into a mainstream movement.

    With interviews from experts, influencers and activists, it outlines how to fight the rising tide of online misogyny and make online spaces more equal and inclusive.

  • In the media

  • Reviews

    "It is powerful in the message that it sends: that women don’t have a duty to show compassion to men who deny them basic respect. For my forthcoming book, Ctrl Hate Delete: The New Anti-Feminist Backlash and How We Fight It, I have spoken to dozens of activists, social workers and psychologists who are fighting to pull men out of misogynistic rabbit holes. Many of them are male." Cecile Simmons, The Guardian

    "Powerfully exposes the full scale of today’s anti-feminist backlash, which is more impactful and more harmful than ever before... a well-researched and moving account of today’s mainstreaming of male supremacy. It is a must-read for men and women on either side of the culture wars. " Julia Ebner, Author of Going Dark and Going Mainstream

    “The collision of gender with technology is amongst the most powerful forces shaping society, right now. Read this book.” Carl Miller, Demos Centre for the Analysis of Social Media

    “An incisive exploration of the rising anti-feminist backlash, illuminating how online misogyny threatens gender equality and inspiring action to combat it.” Charlotte Proudman, Barrister, Campaigner and Academic

  • Contents

    Prologue: My friend, the male supremacist

    PART I: THE NEW FACES OF MALE SUPREMACY

    Chapter 1: One click away: male supremacy at the fingertips

    Chapter 2: Shadowy witch hunts and the #MeToo backlash

    Chapter 3: Barbie and me: women’s bodies and the backlash

    Chapter 4: Apron-clad armies: women for male supremacy

    Chapter 5: The rigged game: men exploiting men

    PART II: FIGHTING BACK

    Chapter 6: Can there ever be girls on the Internet?

    Chapter 7: How do you argue with a male supremacist?

    Chapter 8: The anti-supremacists: can men save each other?

    Chapter 9: The backlash to the backlash

    Chapter 10: Finding common ground

    Epilogue: Coming out into joy

Product details

About the author

Cécile Simmons is an investigative researcher at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue focusing on disinformation, misogyny, and digital culture. She was previously an advisor to the charity Glitch, which focuses on ending gender-based online violence, and also advises tech companies, government bodies and civil society organisations on online harms.

She has written for publications including The Guardian, Politico, WIRED and Cosmopolitan and appeared as an expert commentator on broadcast media including BBC Newsnight, France 24 and ABC News.

Related Titles