From H*e to Holy: The “fake change” narrative of modern women

Couple of days ago, a provocative post on X by user @iam_enriched sparked a heated online debate. The post, featuring a man in a Barcelona jersey speaking into a pocket microphone, had the bold caption: “The fake redemption of some modern women. Is this true or false?” Accompanied by the text “FROM H*E TO HOLY,” the post was based on the narrative of transformation or perhaps deception among women in contemporary society. The video, which has since garnered significant attention, has ignited conversations about gender stereotypes, societal expectations, and the authenticity of personal change. However, what lies beneath this sensational post is what would be explored in this piece.

The post that began the controversy

The image in the post shows a man, presumably @iam_enriched, standing before his phone camera in what appears to be a modern living space. The text overlay, “FROM H*E TO HOLY: The fake redemption of modern women,” suggests a criticism of women who, according to the creator, may be pretending to have a moral or spiritual transformation. The phrase “H*e to Holy” implies a transition from a state of immorality or promiscuity, which he censored to one of godliness or virtue. The question posed in the caption, “Is this true or false?” makes individuals to be interested and want to verify his claims on such transformations.

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The online reaction and a divided audience

The X post reveals various responses that reflects the controversial nature of the topic. Some users, like @wingod2244, who replied with a brief and straight to the point “Fact!!!!”, appeared to agree with the creator’s sentiment of the original post. Others, such as @SparrowStylez, replied with “Preach Preacher,” further suggesting support for the message, perhaps a needed call to criticize and point out the misleading behavior of contemporary women mostly in Nigeria.

However, as typical of a controversial topic, not everyone was on board the destination of the author and would choose otherwise. One of such persons is @lollybee02 who quickly countered with, “This is not true,” prompting @iam_enriched to ask, “How?” in response. This exchange highlights the contentious nature of the topic while some see the “fake redemption” narrative as a valid critique, others view it as an unfair generalization. Another X user @IfeomaDr in the comment section took a more empathetic stance, pleading, “Let women rest,” suggesting that such critiques place undue pressure on women to conform to societal expectations.

Other replies added layers of disparity. @FFolagbade, added by requesting a similar analysis of men: “Can you help with ‘The fake redemption of some modern men’?” This comment showed a desire for balanced discourse, pointing out that men, too, may engage in pretentious transformations. Meanwhile, @contantine101 found the video “educating” and humorous, noting, “I skipped the gym era, thy go to guy to look for men 🤣🤣🤣,” possibly referencing a specific point made in the video about modern women’s behavior.

Exploring the context of the narratives in the post

I usually do not like to involve myself in debates and contentions on gender roles but for an individual with a passion for human development, I found the post worth my time and intelligence. In this section, I hope to expose the gray zone in this controversial topic.

A critical look at the phrase “modern women” in @iam_enriched’s post shows historical and cultural debates about women’s roles in society. A web search result from Wikipedia on the “New Woman” provides historical context, noting that the term emerged during the early 20th century as part of a new culture movement and feminism. It represented a push for women’s freedom and individuality, challenging the traditional role of women as “good wives and wise mothers.” This movement, however, was not without criticism as modern women were often seen as amoral or lacking contentment and desiring to have things that are of no relevance, a sentiment that resonates with the “fake redemption” narrative in the X post.

In the same vein, the web result on gender stereotyping from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) highlights how generalized views about women’s roles can be harmful, limiting their ability to develop personal abilities or make life choices. The “H*e to Holy” framing in the post perpetuates a binary stereotype: women are either sinful or saintly, with little room for complexity. This dichotomy mirrors historical critiques of the “Modern Girl” and “New Woman,” who were often accused of being too Westernized, materialistic, or sexually liberated, as noted in the Wikipedia entry.

The “fake redemption” narrative also draws some contemporary discussions about originality and social media. A Medium article from 2018, titled “Social Media’s Redemption,” explores how platforms like Twitter (now X) has given women, the opportunity to make out their narratives. However, this visibility comes with criticizing women’s behavior, rather than giving them the support especially when it deviates from traditional norms, is often judged harshly. The X post’s focus on “fake redemption” may reflect a bigger doubt about women who publicly expose their personal growth, particularly if that growth involves going from a being “wild” in the past to being more “virtuous” in the present.

Moreover, the post’s timing comes amidst ongoing global conversations about gender roles. The OHCHR’s discussion of gender stereotyping notes that such biases disproportionately affect women from marginalized groups, compounding their challenges. In this context, @iam_enriched’s post risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes by suggesting that women’s transformations from being amoral to being virtuous are not the complete truth or genuine.

Conclusion

I desire to speak more but it is wise to draw the curtain close now. The viral X post by @iam_enriched highlights the complexities of discussing gender in the digital age. On one hand, it raises valid questions about originality and societal expectations; on the other, it risks perpetuating harmful stereotypes by reducing women’s experiences to a simple narrative of “fake redemption.” The varied responses in the comment box showed both agreement and disagreement reflecting the diversity of perspectives on this issue.

As @FFolagbade’s reply suggests, a more balanced conversation might consider the “fake redemption” of men as well, acknowledging that “false change” because of age and societal expectations is not exclusive to women. Moreover, the historical context of the “New Woman” reminds us that critiques of modern women are not new, they are part of a long-standing tension between tradition and progress.

Overall, the “H*e to Holy” narrative serves as a mirror, reflecting society’s ongoing struggle to reconcile evolving gender roles with entrenched expectations. Whether true or false, the question posed by @iam_enriched invites us to look deeper not just at the women being criticized, but at the cultural lenses through which we view them.