History of Feminism
In reply to the discussion: (HOF THREAD!) SO is the word "BITCH" still acceptable on DU... [View all]BainsBane
(55,523 posts)How would we know if someone is misogynistic or racist without taking note of the language they use? Words have specific meanings. Misogynists use misogynist language because they find it useful to convey their contempt for women, just as racists use racist language because they find it useful to convey their contempt for people of color. If language is meaningless, there is no point participating in this or any other discussion. The only way we know people online is through their words. The language they choose conveys their thoughts and values.
Early today we heard how people who referred to another member as Republican or "left leaning independent" should be immediately banned (not simply result in a jury hide but be permanently banned from the site). Whereas words that degrade women, people of color, and LGBT must not be censored because "free speech" requires that bigoted speech be protected. How else will the privileged be able to express their contempt for the majority if they can't use sexist and racist insults? Surely we can't expect them to treat the subaltern as human beings, much less equal.
When you joined this site, you agreed to terms of service that prohibit bigotry. Since this is an online forum where people communicate through words, that bigotry is expressed through bigoted language, which is why it was always deleted when we had moderators. Now that we have juries, some have decided that insulting women is just too important for that language to met with the consequence of a jury hide.
Now, I will repeat again, you are in the HISTORY OF FEMINISM group, the one corner of this site where women expect to be treated with respect. This is not a forum. It is a safe haven group. You can go justify misogynist language with your like-minded cohorts in GD, but we do not permit it in this group.
Edit history
Recommendations
0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):![](du4img/smicon-reply-new.gif)