Yashar Ali:

As far as I am concerned, the epidemic of gaslighting is part of the struggle against the obstacles of inequality that women constantly face.  Acts of gaslighting steal their most powerful tool: their voice.  This is something we do to women every day, in many different ways.

"A Message to Women From a Man: You Are Not 'Crazy'"

Yashar Ali:

When these women receive any sort of push back to their reactions, they often brush it off by saying, "Forget it, it's okay."  That "forget it" isn't just about dismissing a thought, it is about self-dismissal.  It's heartbreaking.  No wonder some women are unconsciously passive aggressive when expressing anger, sadness, or frustration.  For years, they have been subjected to so much gaslighting that they can no longer express themselves in a way that feels authentic to them.

"A Message to Women From a Man: You Are Not 'Crazy'"

Yashar Ali:

It's a whole lot easier to emotionally manipulate someone who has been conditioned by our society to accept it.  We continue to burden women because they don't refuse our burdens as easily.  It's the ultimate cowardice.

"A Message to Women From a Man: You Are Not 'Crazy'"

Yashar Ali:

Even vocal, confident, assertive women are vulnerable to gaslighting.  Why?  Because women bare the brunt of our neurosis.  It is much easier for us to place our emotional burdens on the shoulders of our wives, our female friends, our girlfriends, our female employees, our female colleagues, than for us to impose them on the shoulders of men.

"A Message to Women From a Man: You Are Not 'Crazy'"

Yashar Ali:

Those who engage in gaslighting create a reaction -- whether it's anger, frustration, sadness -- in the person they are dealing with. Then, when that person reacts, the gaslighter makes them feel uncomfortable and insecure by behaving as if their feelings aren't rational or normal.

"A Message to Women From a Man: You Are Not 'Crazy'"

Yashar Ali:

A remark intended to shut you down like, "Calm down, you're overreacting," after you just addressed someone else's bad behavior, is emotional manipulation, pure and simple.

"A Message to Women From a Man: You Are Not 'Crazy'"