Nine years ago on May 23rd, 2014, a misogynistic incel by the name of Elliot Rodger went on a deadly rampage in Santa Barbara, California. He killed six people and injured fourteen others, leaving a trail of devastation and heartache in his wake. Rodger’s actions were fueled by a deeply ingrained hatred of women and a toxic sense of entitlement that led him to believe he was owed a romantic relationship with them.
Elliot Rodger’s attack was not an isolated incident but one that was indicative of a broader societal problem: the normalization and glorification of toxic masculinity and violence against women. His manifesto, which he posted online before his attack, espoused his beliefs that women were the root of all his problems and that they were to blame for his inability to find romantic partners.
It is important to condemn Elliot Rodger’s actions and his beliefs unequivocally. He was not a hero or a martyr; he was a deeply disturbed individual who took the lives of innocent people because of his twisted ideology. His actions were not a result of mental illness or a lack of access to resources, but rather a direct result of his belief in the toxic masculinity that is so deeply ingrained in our society.
We must address the root causes of toxic masculinity and violence against women, including the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes and the normalization of aggressive behavior in men. We need to dismantle the systems that uphold these damaging beliefs and work towards building a more just and equitable society.
On the ninth anniversary of Elliot Rodger’s rampage, we remember the lives that were lost and the families that were torn apart. We must honor their memory by continuing the fight against misogyny, toxic masculinity, and violence. It is time to take a stand against these toxic beliefs and work towards a future where everyone is treated with respect, dignity, and equality.
