Re: sexist language in debian instructions/documentation
On Tuesday 03 August 2004 1:28 am, Patty Langasek wrote:
> I'm not saying there aren't injustices - there certainly are - but, I'm more
> concerned about declarations of smaller issues as incredibly large,
> backbreaking and offensive attempts to keep women out of a male-dominated
> community. To translate since I'm not very coherent at 1:20am, there are
> bigger issues than pronoun usage in documentation. I worry that having a fit
> over pronouns (which may or may not have been intentional) is going to make
> it more difficult for other Debian community members to take our concerns
> seriously.
So you're saying the people who are advocating inclusive language are simply
making a big deal over nothing, and should just get over it, and are wrong to
be bothered by exclusive language. Thanks a lot.
>
> One of the biggest complaints you will likely hear about women's movements
> and feminism is that women demand political correctness and will become
> offended by the slightest off-hand comment that doesn't meet a woman's
> sensitivity requirements. Personally, I think that's a valid complaint. Of
> course, I also tend to believe everyone takes themselves far too seriously.
My biggest complaint is people who trivialize women's concerns, and dismiss us
with words like 'feminazis' and 'policitcal correctness.' We're too
sensitive, too touchy. We should just shut up. Musn't risk offending anyone.
Really, there's no problem, we're just wrong about everything. We better not
risk offending people by standing up for ourselves, is that what you're
saying? Or are you saying that because something doesn't bother you, it
shouldn't bother anyone?
>
> If pronoun usage in documentation is seriously an offensive and
> train-halting offense to you, then by all means, feel free to devote your
> time to finding other ways to have the documentation rewritten. However,
> please keep in mind that some women aren't quite as ruffled and are not
> offended by this.
Why are you having such a freakout over this? No one has made this a "an
offensive and train-halting offense," except you.
Helen already succeeded in getting one document changed, and got some advice
in how to make more changes. This is a positive move forward. I don't know
why this is such a pebble in your shoe. If the status quo were satisfactory,
there would be no need for Debian-Women.
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