Flickr, the million user website which allows people
to share and upload photos, seems to be in a debate about sexist language.
After reading the flickr blogs, it seems that users are more commonly using
hash tags that represent specific gender and status. I think it’s somewhat of a
problem that the users don’t really care what derogatory language they use to
anchor their images. What’s even more surprising is that most people don’t take
notice to the sexist remarks, even if they are subtle. In fact, some people
even embrace the connotation. Although ethically it is important to keep your
speech androgynistic, sometimes it’s important to use specific gender notation
in persuasive speech. For instance if you were rallying a feminist movement,
you might be trying to unite a specific gender or racial group. This might be a
time when you direct you style and linguistics to a specific group. I think it’s
important that everyone realizes that sexism in symbolic notation can still
hurt people. Although in reality, words that are meant to oppress specific
people based on a certain criteria, it becomes obvious that outside that
culture they mean nothing.
Reading the Flickr comments I kind of agree with most of the posts. I do not think that it is that offensive. After all we are different a man is not the same as a woman we are completely different. I do not think that we should be equal to be completely honest. That is my own personal belief and by no means do I think it is wrong if people have a different opinion that is just my own personal response. When I read the first post that said it was offensive to use sexist language was well we are different sexes so it really is not offensive. As I said before I respect that everyone is entitled to their own opinion that is just mine.
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate your sensitivity to the current inequality between men and women in various aspects (especially since if I'm correct you gave your informative speech on this topic). Although I think it's nice that you're receptive to these issues and you recognize them, personally I am pretty laid back on the subject. I feel that often people take things to extreme when it comes to issues of gender inequality and feminism. I've noticed that nowadays you can really pick apart just about anything that people say and turn it in to a gender issue. It gets to be a bit excessive and can often lead to making men AND women uncomfortable because of over-scrutinizing. However, I do take issue when men refer to women as "broads" or "b****es". I just think it's important to be sensitive, but for people to also not over analyze and take things out of context.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I encounter unintentional sexism more often than any other kind of unintentional bigotry. It’s strange that people often do not even realize what they’re saying is unacceptable. Not that it is any better, but it’s less shocking when people know they are being derogatory and choose to be that way anyway. There is just something so unreal about people being so ignorant and uneducated that they don’t even know they’re being offensive! That being said, in reading some of the comments on the post, I realize that certain terms may be offensive in some places or to some people but not to others people. You can never please everybody, but being outright offensive with no regard to the feelings of others is just plain reckless.
ReplyDelete