Another Woman In Gaming Flees Home Following Death Threats

[KitSileya]

151. And I disagree.

Like the battle over 'Democrat/Democratic party*, it might seem insignificant, but its use has a wider disrespect for women. Many don't like it that language isn't fixed and words have the same meaning everywhere in every context, but they don't. A word can become sexist, or a slur, depending on who says it and who it is said to. A woman calling another woman a 'b!&%h' can be using it as a slur, or as a reclamation of that word. The same with 'n%¤#"r', or using the word angry about a black woman has a very different connotation than calling a white man angry. It isn't for those of us who do not belong to the groups referred to to decide whether a word is denigrating or not. So, I would never presume to lecture a black man on the use of the n-word, or 'boy' when used on him, because I am neither black nor a man. But when it comes to language and words used on women, I do have a right to voice my opinion.

I don't think that DonCoquixote was using it as a deliberate slur, but it was a typical example of unthinking use of dehumanizing language, and a teaching moment. Of course, in my discussion with you, I assume we are discussing the wider use of such language and its consequences, since you were not the one who in fact used the term.