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Feminists

In reply to the discussion: Words [View all]

niyad

(124,266 posts)
3. it's late here, but just a couple of quick thoughts on a battle we have been fighting for at least`
Fri Feb 10, 2012, 05:01 AM
Feb 2012

50 years:

"I have read on DU that words can't hurt you unless you let them. " the reality is that words shape, to a very large degree, how we think. so, when people use words that have a deliberately hurtful, belittling, insulting meaning, we can assume that is what they intended to do, however much they whine that "that isn't what I meant", or, "why are you so sensitive?"


"I have read on DU that feminists who point out sexist speech are "pearl clutchers" are "getting the vapors" and "need a fainting couch". " (gee, I am glad I never saw THAT nonsense on this board) my response would be something along the lines of, "wow, dragging out victorian insults must mean that you are really desperate. your attempt at "humour" leaves a lot to be desired"
(sometimes, you have to use language they understand)


"I have read on DU that there are special contexts and circumstances where sexist slurs should be allowed on DU. " There are NO such contexts or circumstances, EVER"



"I have read on DU that pointing out the use of this sexist language is detrimental to feminism, essentially minimizing more pervasive forms of sexism. " this sort of statement is used by those who are mad that their behavior is being pointed out. Language is just as important as whatever else they mean by "more pervasive forms of sexism" and they know it.


Talkin Gender Neutral Blues
(Kristin Lems)
January 19, 2005
words and music by Kristin Lems c 2005

This talkin blues (or is it a pre-rap?) is in the Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie, and Bob Dylan tradition....musing aloud to a chord progression. The song is printed in the "Feminist Dictionary" and some other places.

I was walkin down the street one day
Reading the signs that passed my way
And after a while I started to see
That none of those words referred to me...
Good will towards men, all men are created equal,
Praise Him!

Well I asked some friends if they agreed
That they felt left out in the things they read
They told me yes, and added some more
And soon we all felt pretty sore
You got your Congressman, spaceman, sideman....
But I never heard a no house husband!

Well some men came by and a fight began to grow:
�You girls are so dumb you just don�t know,
These here are called �generic words�
They�re meant to include both the bees and the birds.�
Well gee fellas, how am I supposed to know?
I certainly don�t feel included!

Ok said I, if that�s so true,
I�ll just use �woman� to cover the two
�It don�t make a difference to us,� they said
�If you wanna use woman, go right ahead.�
I said, thanks, that�s really sisterly of you
Glad to see you believe in sportswomanship!

�Now hold your horses,� they started to cry.
I think I�ll hold my mares, said I.
�You�re leavin all of us guys behind.�
Why no, we�re all part of womankind.
So don�t fret friends, take it like a woman
You�ll get used to it, just like we all did!

http://www.kristinlems.com/





Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Words [View all] boston bean Feb 2012 OP
I will offer a little to get things started... ZombieHorde Feb 2012 #1
Thank you Zombie Horde, all very good responses. boston bean Feb 2012 #4
I contend the original claim is true Kellerfeller Feb 2012 #18
If we shouldn't consider each others feelings, then why is anything "bad?" ZombieHorde Feb 2012 #19
No one said anything about how we treat others Kellerfeller Feb 2012 #20
tell that to a child. all of us who have raised children know better. tell that to a seabeyond Feb 2012 #21
Don't worry Kellerfeller Feb 2012 #22
four agreements. an easy book to read. basic. so simple. one of my favorites seabeyond Feb 2012 #23
I see. We are talking about two slightly different subjects. ZombieHorde Feb 2012 #24
Here's what I think of the second excuse... Violet_Crumble Feb 2012 #2
I agree Violet boston bean Feb 2012 #5
it's late here, but just a couple of quick thoughts on a battle we have been fighting for at least` niyad Feb 2012 #3
All very good points, niyad! boston bean Feb 2012 #6
we hear about the teens bullied with words killing themselves.. we are outraged. seabeyond Feb 2012 #7
+1 redqueen Feb 2012 #8
Very good points with real-life examples. nt ZombieHorde Feb 2012 #12
addressing it from another perspective. always denigrating, dismissing, creating a caricature of a seabeyond Feb 2012 #9
ok... lets look at it from another perspective. du. words dont matter... all the stuff. gynergy seabeyond Feb 2012 #10
All of those arguments are b.s. and are typical of the larger culture's dismissal of women's rights. yardwork Feb 2012 #11
I'm not very good at doing that either. boston bean Feb 2012 #13
Many DUers have the impression that I am a suburban man riding around on a lawn mower swilling beer! yardwork Feb 2012 #15
Your last paragraph is exactly how I feel. boston bean Feb 2012 #16
..... yardwork Feb 2012 #17
I really don't know how to respond. redqueen Feb 2012 #14
That is SUCH a good point, redqueen Remember Me Feb 2012 #25
yes. from a different angle, the fight to use sexist terms... it is odd, when one takes a step seabeyond Feb 2012 #26
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