not all men

not all men

A phrase intending to emphasize that not all men mistreat women. Popularized as a hashtag on social media in 2014 (in the aftermath of the Isla Vista killings perpetrated by Elliot Rodger, who was openly misogynistic), it was met with criticism and an outpouring of women sharing their experiences (with the hashtag #YesAllWomen) and countering that all women are affected by sexual misconduct and sexism, even if those actions are only carried out by some men. Instead of rushing to say "not all men," try stopping and listening.
See also: all, men, not
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • #NotAllMen
  • gone with the wind
  • homie don't play that
  • all systems (are) go
  • All systems are go
  • all systems go
  • life is like a box of chocolates
  • a rising tide lifts all boats
  • not so much
  • hakuna matata
References in periodicals archive
'I haven't been depending on my mother nor father since I came to Accra so other people have been helping me out and not all men do anything for free these days'
It added: "Of course, I apologise - not ALL men are 'ridiculous creatures'.
STANLEY MOSS recently published God Breaketh Not All Men's
"Not all men with prostate cancer need to be diagnosed, not all men with prostate cancer need to be treated, and not all men with prostate cancer die of their disease."
I'D like to point out that not all men are disgusting slobs who wouldn't know a mop from a set of dreadlocks.