You just registered an account to complain about a message of unequivocal world ...

tieno · on July 20, 2012

No, I did not.

And he did so with misogynist language. Which made me twinge. I don't complain, I state my feelings.

It just shows in what a weird time this was happening.

gamache · on July 20, 2012

You're right, you didn't. My mistake, I apologize.

A few questions though. Would you be displeased at someone saying "Hey guys!" or "Hi fellas!" or "What's up, dudes?" to a group of mixed gender?

Do you feel that these greetings play a part in entrenching patriarchy in a real way?

Do you feel that a protest against such greetings would play a part in overcoming patriarchy in a real way?

Do you think it matters if the greeter knows the group they are greeting? If so, does it matter because of actual familiarity or just formality?

mixmastamyk · on July 20, 2012

Uggh, I'm tired of people using that word so casually and where it doesn't apply.

naturalethic · on July 20, 2012

The word "men" also means humanity you idiot.

tieno · on July 20, 2012

Yes, that is exactly the problem. Is that really so hard to understand?

rimantas · on July 20, 2012

No, there is no problem. People looking for problems where are none are problem though.

ahelwer · on July 21, 2012

All right, I'll pop in here I guess. This has obviously veered incredibly off-topic and I can absolutely forgive Armstrong for using that language so many years ago.

Now, that being said language is powerful and inclusive language is important. I wouldn't dismiss this as a problem so candidly. Just registering my support for Tieno's issues so you don't dismiss them as a lone super-PC-police-person.

Also, "that's just the way (the word is used)/(it is)" has never been a great defense of using non-inclusive language. Or anything, really.

GeorgeTirebiter · on July 21, 2012

At that time, it was commonly understood that "men" in such a context included "women". This was before womens' lib, etc. English is an evolving language; basically, 43 years ago, "men" in this use meant something different than it does today.