[Leica] Re; Politically Incorrect terminology

[lrzeitlin at aol.com (lrzeitlin at aol.com)]

 I've been a semi-invalid for the last week recovering from cancer surgery 
and I've found the last few editions of the LUG to be a good substitute for 
"War of the Sexes." They take out the stiches in a few days and I should be 
back to my usual acerbic self.


I personally am appalled at the cultural insensitivity to sexist terminology 
exhibited by many male LUG members. Despite the fact that some of us 
disagree with Tina's excessive regard for Leica equipment, we don't refer to 
her as a senorita (however spelled) or even as a "senorita who snaps." Why 
not? Because we regard her as a mature woman and an excellent photographer 
who deserves respect.


I may be a bit sensitive to these issues. My sister-in-law was head of 
protocol at the White House and constantly had to chastise the staff for 
using diminutive, immature, or overly familiar language in referring to 
female guests, legislators, or Congresswomen. The Maid of Honor at my 
sister-in-law's wedding was Geraldine Ferraro, a woman that no one ever 
referred to as "girlie" or as a senorita.


Words that in themselves are not sexist, like girl, chick, gal, skirt become 
so when used to refer to a woman in an overly familiar way. It's the same 
when talking of men. No one would ever refer to the Pope or the President as 
pal, boy, buddy, chum. We don't call Ted a "Canuck who clicks." Unless you 
actively want to insult somebody, don't disrespect them by diminishing them. 
A full list of male and female derogatory references is given here: Don't 
use them!
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:English_sexual_slurs


I know most of you will say that you don't intend any disrespect. But it 
comes through in your terminology. It is worse in Latin countries but it 
exists everwhere. I've traveled extensively and worked abroad for much of my 
life and there is a cultural insensitivity to sexism in Spain, Italy, and 
parts of France. No woman Pope since Joan either. And I doubt that any woman 
will soon achieve a dominant position in Islam - although Mohammed's wife 
once did.


Finally although I respect Jayanard's opinions on business, finance, and 
photography, he seems culturally unaware of the rampant sexism in India. 
While it is true that India has had a female head of state, as has the UK, 
Australia, and Israel, women in general are not regarded as the equal of 
men. I spent three years as a Fulbright Distinguished Professor at the 
University of Delhi yet my wife and 14 year old daughter could not walk the 
streets near our home without being harassed by "Eve bashing" hoodlums. My 
female graduate students complained that after years at the university 
learning how to think and make decisions for themselves, when they left they 
were often forced into loveless marriages that their parents had arranged 
and once married were subject to the demands of the husband's mother. Even 
today kitchen stove explosions are one of the leading causes of female death 
as grooms try to extort more dowery from the bride's parents. My landlord' 
daughters were forced to leave the country to practice their professions as 
a physician and a journalist. My landlord was the Editor in Chief of India's 
Economic Times but even his position made little difference. So Jayanard, 
before you criticize sexist sensitivity in other countries, try to get your 
own house cleaned up first.


Incidentally, the U.S. will probably get its first female head of state in 
2016.


By the way, I don't intend to insult anyone. I'm just telling it like it is. 
Sorry.


Larry Z