CTRL HATE DELETE: From Sexism Fatigue to Feminist Hope
CTRL HATE DELETE by Cécile Simmons
With the rise of incel culture and the mainstreaming of male supremacy, #MeToo backlash, tradwives, and increasingly right-wing political parties, being a feminist and entering into discussions about feminism has become exhausting.
Before reading this book, I was officially burnt out from discussing male supremacy, misogyny, and gender inequalities, as I constantly felt like I was entering into an argument about my existence and my experience rather than a healthy debate. Over the past year, I’d stopped initiating and engaging in conversations about feminism, as I always felt deflated and that being a feminist was like trying to run in sinking sand. Simmons refers to this as “sexism fatigue,” outlining that progress toward gender equality is slow and, in some cases, reversing.
However, CTRL HATE DELETE has not only given me hope for the future of feminism, but has also equipped me with research, data, and interviews from influencers, experts, and activists about topics that are rarely discussed among my friends and family.
CTRL HATE DELETE is divided into two main sections. The section is titled THE NEW FACES OF MALE SUPREMACY and discusses current topics such as the politicisation of women’s bodies (the overturning of Roe v. Wade), the rise of tradwives, contemporary witch hunts (Depp v. Heard), and the rising tide of online misogyny. While this section covers intense topics, Simmons guides the reader through each one honestly yet gently, allowing you to leave each chapter feeling equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge and insights. I particularly liked Simmons’ gender-critical analysis of influencer culture, a phenomenon that affects so many yet is researched by so few.
The second section is a much-needed tonic to section one. Titled FIGHTING BACK, it offers an uplifting, proactive focus on how we can resist the mainstreaming of male supremacy. Chapters include: “Can There Ever Be Girls on the Internet?”, “How Do You Argue with a Male Supremacist?”, “The Anti-Supremacists: Can Men Save Each Other?”, “The Backlash to the Backlash,” and “Finding Common Joy.”
CTRL HATE DELETE should be re-categorized as a handbook, it’s an essential guide to navigating the new era of misogyny and fighting for gender equality. It’s a necessary read for everyone. As Simmons notes, we are all victims of the patriarchy, and we all have the power to enact change.
Due to the intense topics discussed, it did take me longer to read compared to other non-fiction books of a similar size. While this is a must-read, I found that reading it with a clear head, and recognising when to take breaks from the heavier topics, worked best.
This review has been written by book club member, Jen Ogden, and is her first book review on the site! Jen lives in London and works in higher education. Alongside reading, Jen loves live music, hit yoga, and crafting.