Mansplaining: the portmanteau that puts a name to this guy trying to tell an actual astronaut about basic physics. It’s a term that highlights rampant sexism seen far and wide, from our political elections to our day-to-day lives. But, is it sexist?
That’s what musician Sean Lennon seems to believe, as he indicated on Twitter Friday night.
The term 'mansplaining,' is sexist.
— Seán Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) September 10, 2016
Naturally, followers were curious. Could this man mansplain why mansplaining is sexist?
https://twitter.com/annagordonia/status/774441130481954816
Wait a minute. I'm so lost. Could you start from the beginning?
— Max (@maxtheythem) September 10, 2016
Yes he can.
Someone told me I was mansplaining when I realized the term is inherently sexist.
— Seán Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) September 10, 2016
And rightfully, he got owned.
Hmm… still confused. What is "sexism?" What is "mansplaining?" What's it like being a woman?
— Max (@maxtheythem) September 10, 2016
Perhaps the most troubling series of missives following the “mansplaining” tweet came not from Lennon, but from accounts he retweeted calling out @Globelamp, aka Elizabeth Le Fey, a former member of the psych-rock outfit Foxygen who dated and was allegedly abused by frontman Sam France. The two have become publicly embattled after Le Fey called for a boycott of Desert Daze, a Joshua Tree festival she is legally barred from enjoying due to Foxygen’s participation. This was Lennon’s response:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKEPYs2BC75/
Needless to say, Lennon hasn’t been shy about his problematic opinions, though he did bother to delete the Hendrix tweet, which Le Fey preserved via Instagram.
Place your bets on when he takes down the “mansplaining” tweet. And when it pops right back up for the sake of accountability.