Saoirse Ronan Discusses Men’s Reactions to Her ‘Gagging’ Comments: Starting the Conversation

Saoirse Ronan likely did not anticipate that a casual remark would ignite a significant conversation about women’s safety and male privilege, but that is precisely what transpired.

During her appearance on The Graham Norton Show, where she shared the stage with Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Eddie Redmayne, a discussion arose regarding Redmayne’s latest project, The Day of the Jackal, and his experience with self-defense training. He revealed a technique involving using a phone as a weapon against an assailant, a notion that was met with amusement by the men present. Mescal joked, “Who really thinks of that? If someone were to attack me, I’m not about to think ‘phone!’”

Ronan, however, pointedly responded, “That’s something girls always have to consider,” creating an instantaneous hush in the room. The men, including host Graham Norton, seemed momentarily speechless. She followed up with, “Am I right, ladies?” eliciting applause from the audience.

While the male guests on the show didn’t do anything overtly wrong, their lack of awareness regarding their male privilege concerning self-defense techniques was clear. This disconnect is what made Ronan’s statement resonate so deeply. Soon, clips of her comments were widely shared on social media, prompting media outlets to begin analyzing the incident. In a piece for The Guardian, Marina Hyde reflected on how women learn to navigate their safety, mentioning that they often find themselves coming up with creative yet mundane solutions like using phones or keys for protection. She longed for a future free from this underlying fear, a scenario where women could also partake in humor without concern.

In an interview with Virgin Radio UK, Ronan shared her thoughts on the overwhelming response her comment received, noting it was “definitely unexpected, and I didn’t aim to create such a stir.” This candid reaction makes her experience even more relatable; how many women have felt compelled to voice their thoughts when serious issues are downplayed by men?

She expressed that the societal context reflects a desire among women to open up about their experiences with the men in their lives, considering it as a means of “starting a conversation.” Women have begun to approach her to discuss her observations, including a notable encounter where one woman described a discussion with her husband about the “fake phone call” tactic that many women use to avoid potential attackers. This husband had never heard of such a strategy.

Ronan remarked, “Of course, understanding this concept would be foreign to someone who hasn’t faced similar challenges. This woman has developed these survival techniques over time, yet had never exchanged experiences with other women, remaining unaware that these were indeed strategies for survival.”

While Ronan’s viral exchange has prompted a broader dialogue among women about their self-defense methods, it is hopeful that one day such measures will no longer be necessary.

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Images Credit: Themarysue.com