Sometimes I wonder that two of the worst things you can call a woman to her face are 'fat' and 'cunt'. Really? That's the worst? Being fat and...what, being a vagina? Seriously? Helloooo misogyny! What about words like 'lame', 'gay', and 'bitch'? You wont find me using languge like this on my journal. Why? Because it's oppressive. By saying "That movie was so lame!" I'm putting down people with physical disabilities. If I comment "Oh wow, that was so gay!" on the movie, I'm oppressing the LGBTQ community. Calling someone a bitch, or saying that complaining is bitching, is dehumanizing. A bitch is a female dog. To call someone a bitch erases their humanity. Women do not have the monopoly on complaining, though the world would like us to think otherwise, just like we dont' have the monopoly on buying shoes, bad driving and mood swings. Those are stereotypes and not worthy of perpetuating. Being fat does not automatically mean I'm a lazy, gluttenous slob with no morals or that I'm easy. I HAVE fat, I am NOT my fat. I am a woman, that doesn't make me a bad driver, a whiner, an automatic mom-wannabe, shopaholic or obsessed with clothes/shoes/makeup/my hair/fashion/excersize/my weight.
Words and language have a purpose; to convey thoughts with meaning. Choose your words carefully; it's hard to be an ally if the words that come out of your mouth undermine your actions.
I basically agree with your comments, but I am sick to death of being politically correct at all costs.
I am handicapped. I have arthritis, sometimes I have trouble walking, I can't run (which is a bummer when someone driving almost runs me over and I can't get out of the way because I can't run). I don't feel like I have to say that I'm a person with a disability. I really don't feel at all demeaned by the word handicapped.
On the other hand, I won't accept being called a dirty Jew. That's where I draw the line. As yes, I have been called a dirty Jew and yes, it's horrible.
I wasn't aware that there was an issue with the word 'handicapped', or is that just how you personally feel? As for the dirty Jew comment, that is HORRIBLE. People can be so stupid and mean sometimes.
Jen, I have attended many union and government meetings and believe me, you are shot down in flames, then drawn and quartered and left to rot under the hot desert sun for saying "the handicapped" rather than "persons with disabilities" or better yet "persons living with disabilities".
I work in both languages and I can also say that in French Canada, people are somewhat less frightened of just saying it like it is than they are in English Canada.