gathererofclouds:

This is in fact an absurd example. One can assume safely that the pool-goers not protesting are not near the runners in question and that the lifeguard’s attention is focused when the whistle is blown and the command uttered.

The accusation against men who say “not me” are responding to blanket statements of “men are jerks because they do ‘x’ ” which seems to include all men in its circumference of guilt. What should be said is “men who do ‘x’ are jerks,” which narrows the circle down to a narrow spotlight on those who perform the guilty action (running by the pool in this case).

If you’re tired of dealing with “not me” statements, consider the language you’re using— it may have more to do with the reasons why there are protests than you think.

Oh look, a guy with a porn blog is here to mansplain us silly ladies about how “not all men.”  Thanks for the tone-policing, broseph.