(no subject)

[prog]

You know, I'm actually rather uncomfortable with the current popular usage among the Daily Show-watching set of using "[has] balls" and "[is a] pussy" as slang for possessing admirable bravado and contemptible cowardliness or passivity, respectively.

Since the people employing the phrase are the furthest thing from ripsnorting redstaters, I suppose that there's a sense of ironic fun to be had by stepping briefly into George Liquor's shoes for a moment, passing an indictment as one who believes that men primarily validate themselves by going in there and changing the world, and women do it by quietly submitting to authority.

It's a little shocking to hear it coming from you, and so we all laugh. But when I hear you say it over and over again, I do start to wonder.

Comments

[prog.livejournal.com]

That's interesting. Much of my discomfort stems from my own assumption that these perceptions of gender-intrinsic qualities that boil down to strength versus weakness are actually very much alive in our culture. So much dimmer than they were decades ago, perhaps, but still there. I think their dimming is good, and so even a playful mock-resurgence of them makes me wary.

But I'd hate it if people felt the need to watch what they say around me! None of this does me pain or offense. I'm just thinkin out loud is all.

Ha ha also Zarf just this very second offered me some of those Cheddar Beer potato chips you hate. Or is it the other kind? I forget.

[dictator555.livejournal.com]

I think this might be a generational thing. I think my generation might have been raised to take for granted the equality of women in a lot of ways. Or maybe it was just such a non-issue to me personally while growing up. I was raised mainly by strong women, so I just took for granted that women are strong. Certainly as strong as men and possibly I'm sexist in the opposite way and think they're even stronger than men.

And Cheddar Beer potato chips are AWESOME. It's the Thai flavored Kettle Chips I don't like. D'oh. Now I will have to stop at the grocery store on the way home and get some cheddar beer ones. Darn you, Zarf and Jason!