26th
Re-naming
It’s a long-standing rule in our apartment, that white tank top/ undershirts are not to be called by their popularly used term, which I will not dignify by repeating here. The term I’m referring to, which is directly offensive to women, is replaced by: ‘girlfriend- lover.’
Recently, I’ve come across several articles about the reality of women in the workplace, and the myth that feminism is not longer relevant, as sexism is dead. The idea is, that now women are free to be objects, because we are now empowered objects. Anyone paying attention will recognize that women are still treated differently, and the proof is in the words we use.
For example, while certain highly offensive words used for various ethnic, racial and sexual orientations are widely understood to be off limits, a woman isn’t safe from sexualized slurs. Look no further than the 2008 Presidential election. The women running, or acting as running mates, were talked about differently than their male counter-parts. Sexually aggressive comments were made about them, what they wore was always an issue, and whether or not they smiled or cried.
I still have random people on the street demand that I smile. Because I’m female, I should smile to assure everyone I’m pleasing and not a B——.
The tank top issue is the first re-naming project. It’s a Lady Lover if it’s anything more than an undershirt.
Sexism is not over. Much like we’re finding out with recent events that racism isn’t over either. Complacency and laziness will lull us into thinking we’re done gaining equality. Like we’re already living in a ‘post-gendered’ society. But that will never be the case, not as long as we’re letting women continue to be abused in our language, second class citizens whose very anatomy is only understandable through male-centric terms (‘breasticles’ and ‘lady balls’ (ovaries) Huh?). So I say, be vigilant in the words you use. Say what you need to using your own thoughts rather than relying on tired, offensive terms and phrases.
