An exchange

So, run away all those of you who think feminism is silly, don’t like PC language and think there is no problem out there anyway. That will be most/all of you.

Here we have the usual story of me pointing out that calling people bitches, actually referring to a bitch slap, whatever that may be, and harlots, is insulting and derogatory to women.

People, if you are still reading, do you want your partner (of whatever gender) to be called a bitch, a slut, a prostitute or a whore? I forgot harlot. My cousin named her daughter Charlotte and my dad’s first comment was ‘bad choice of name for rhyming’.

It is not generally regarded as a compliment to call a woman or a man, any of these names. Is that clear or not?

Therefore, it is not unreasonable to consider that using those terms continues to perpetuate derogatory language, views and stereotypes against a) women and b) sex workers/prostitutes/harlots/slags/sluts etc.

Here is the convo.

[Me] I thought it was interesting that you had two back to back posts using sexist language. ie bitch and harlot.

>rough, my use of ‘sexist’ language as you call it was unintentional. I am not a PC person, I simply use the English language as available. I assure you I can be just as capable of referring to males in the same derogatory light.

[Me]Everyone’s use of sexist language is ‘always’ unintentional. And therein lies the problem.

Because when someone (me) points it out, that is the standard response. Hey ho, I could write a blog post about it if I hadn’t already written 20 before

I am not a PC person either, all my computers are apple.

>rough, as an older linguist, I don’t see a problem with sexist language. I am not in favour of feminism, but I do support equality. The PC I referred to first was as in politically correct.[in reference to my clearly unwitty comment about PCs and Apples] I see we will continue to differ on this issue.

So

1) I really like being patronised and being told that PC stands for politically correct.

2) Unintentional is just not good enough. Simple as that. ‘I didn’t mean to offend you but this is what I think and this is what I say so suck that,’ is basically what it means.

3) What is an older linguist? Someone older than me by a few years? Someone who has a linguistics degree or is fluent in lots of languages? Or someone who just wants to say, I’m older, I’m more educated, I know better than you? Really? I don’t think so sweetheart.

4) However, would you say to a woman in the street, ‘Hiya black bitch, how’s it going?’ or how about, ‘Hey your partner is a cracking harlot’? I could add more examples but you get the idea.

5) And the problem with sexist language is that it demeans women.

The biggest non-sequitur.

~ I am not in favour of feminism but I do support equality ~

*Bangs head on Apple (not PC)*

The two are not the same. They should be the same but they aren’t.

Why aren’t they the same? Because equality isn’t just about equal wages and the right to get a job and equal legal rights. Equality, per se feminism, is about challenging ingrained discrimination against women because they aren’t up to it. They are not equal to men.

We can have all the laws under the sun to say we are all equal, but that doesn’t take away from our inherent and inbred discrimination against whoever. Insert, women, disabled people, people who are mentally ill, LGBTQ, black people, Asians, basically anyone who isn’t a white male heterosexual with a decent bank account.

It’s called privilege. Yes, it’s probably what most of you would call PC again. But if you are born, white, male and rich, you are off and running with your inbuilt privilege.

Many years ago, I met up with the friend with whom I had travelled around the world. She bemoaned the local council who seemed to be favouring black disabled lesbians. Would I want to be one? Would I hell. It’s bad enough being white and hetero and allegedly of a sound body.

The world is built around white men. Sad as it may seem to those men who think their rights in life are being eroded, they aren’t. They will never be. Why abuse women, and use sexually charged language?

People who don’t acknowledge the power of language have their heads in the sand. Or maybe they enjoy using abusive language.

Calling a girl a technology harlot for using a mobile ‘phone? I don’t think that was necessary.