So apparently we need to take classes on empathy now

[Major Nikon]

43. I can't get there from here

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I just can't agree.

Sexism, bigotry, and misogyny (or misandry) are three different things with generally three different meanings. I say generally because while you can use those three words interchangeably in some situations, you can't use them interchangeably in all situations.

The most common uses of those three words go something like this...

Sexism is discrimination based on gender. It refers to action and has less to do with thoughts or feelings. People can say or do sexist things without even knowing it.

Bigotry is intolerance of a group, in this case the group is gender. It has to do with the state of mind and how you think and/or how you apply those thoughts.

Misogyny is the hatred of women.

Sexism is fairly easy to prove because it relates to action. If someone calls Palin a word that rhymes with 4th and long, or describes the function of Limbaugh's sex organs, that is sexism. I don't have to dive into what they are thinking or what their intent was to prove this. If you utter a sexist slur, you are employing sexism. It's that simple.

Bigotry relates to thought and/or the application of that thought. If someone claimed women are prone to hysteria, or men lack empathy, that's probably bigotry unless their intent was something else, then we are back to sexism. It's also sexism regardless because it's hard to imagine the effect wasn't discriminatory. Bigotry generally applies to the entire gender because it has to do with intolerance of an entire gender.

Misogyny is bigotry taken to the extreme. It's hard to imagine a misogynist who wasn't also a bigot just as it's hard to imagine a misogynist who doesn't employ sexism.

Here's the #1 definitions from Webster's site. You can decide for yourself.

Definition of SEXISM
1: prejudice or discrimination based on sex; especially : discrimination against women
...

Definition of BIGOTRY
1: the state of mind of a bigot
...

Definition of MISOGYNY
: a hatred of women