Bush, Ms., and mankind

[pamelas]

Yesterday was a hellish workday, at least half of which was due to my boss's anxiety levels. She called me last night to check on how I was doing (don't I have a wonderful boss??!!!!). While we were talking, she was channel-surfing and came across an announcement that Arnold was going to run for governor of CA. I asked why the current one was

Comments

[anonymous]

"This doesn't come across nearly as eloquent as it was when I had planned it out in the shower this morning." :-) Yup, I know exactly what you're talking about. Sometimes things seem staggeringly unprofound written down. I know what you mean about sexist language, though. There are entire books written on the subject of gender-neutral language, and a person would have to be a real luddite not to be conscious of how they express themselves in this day and age. That said, I have to admit I'm guilty of collusion in this particular arena. I study A Course In Miracles, and the language there is profoundly sexist and I don't care. Now if it were racist... Oh, and BTW, I'm sending that quote from Hitler's henchman to Wayne. It's what we've both been saying all along.

Jeanita

sexism in language

[pamelas]

Now see, I just don't get that. I'm reading a bit between the lines here, but I get the feeling that racist language really upsets you and you may even call people on it. You certainly wouldn't use it yourself. So why isn't that the case with sexist language? Why do WOMEN(????!!!!) say "mankind" and dismiss the use of it with "I meant it universally."? [And if it's so 'universal' why does that have to be explained in the first place???????] How can a female justify that to herself? I get it when guys do it. They're GUYS, so saying "mankind" means them. Of COURSE they feel included.

Why doesn't the use of sexist language disturb more women? and why do they use it in the first place? Can ANYone explain this to me?

Re: sexism in language

[anonymous]

Well, yeah, it upsets me, but when a person uses racist language *at* me, calling them on it is the very last thing I would do. Anyone who uses the word nigger or coon or porch monkey, etc, is obviously trying to get a rise out of me, and mostly people don't do this unless they feel they have some advantage--like, they're bigger and stronger, or they're in a room full of cops, or I'm alone in their town, or I'm in some situation where it would be to my disadvantage, even downfall, to respond to them. I don't use that type of language myself because I don't want to, but I'm conscious of its effects. I think that's the crux of your issue around why women don't object to sexist language--there is nothing in their conscious awareness that tells them that this is an issue of consequence. So if you say, 'Look, word choices are meaningful in that they reflect your state of consciousness around certain issues--a state of consciousness, incidentally, that you'll pass down to your daughters,' but they don't 'get it,' they won't change their

[anonymous]

I totally agree with you, Pamela. It makes me crazy when people use sexist language, so I make a point not to. I even refer to so called "man-made" things as "HUMAN-made

[anonymous]

BTW, I forgot to add that I wrote the last comment. I'm a goof.

Jena