Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit

This clarity came courtesy of a third party who interrupted the host to say “That’s her book.” And she only had to say it four times before the host, realizing his embarrassing error, stopped lecturing. He proceeded to explain the book (that he hadn’t read, but had read about) until it became abundantly clear to everyone (except the host) that he was explaining the very important book to its very author. Although the prolific cultural historian had about eight to choose from, she started to describe her book about Eadweard Muybridge, father of the motion picture, when he cut her off with: “And have you heard about the very important Muybridge book that came out this year?” If not, let’s catch you up: A few years back, Solnit attended a party at a McMansion sized chalet in Aspen owned by a man who had what the kids call “F-U money.” In the most patronizing fashion, the host said he’d heard she’d written a “couple of books” and pressed her for details. Some might even know that the term was coined in response to “Men Explain Things to Me,” a wildly popular essay written by author, historian and activist, Rebecca Solnit. But I also felt grateful for the rich and complicated analysis offered by Malia, and I spent weeks ruminating on the ways that white women do this very thing to people of color, and straight people do this very thing to LGBTQ people, and able-bodied people do it to people with disabilities, and people with access to wealth do it to people of limited means, and on and on.Mansplaining: Many readers may already be familiar with the concept.

I felt so very validated by this story…This has happened to me many times. How embarrassing, right?!! But does the man have the good-natured humility to laugh at his gaffe? Does he apologize? Does he admit to “the bigotry of lowered expectations” that he clearly demonstrates when talking to women? Nope, he doubles down and digs himself in deeper. I will never forget the scene from which this book’s title is taken: an older man has cornered the author Rebecca Solnit and her friend and is explaining to them a book he’s just read – a very important book (which it turns out he hasn’t even read, but just read about) – and Solnit’s friend says to the man “that’s her book” several times before he finally realizes that Solnit is the author.

Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit