Feminists

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/