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sasha_feather"pimping" a show, book, or fandom
I suppose an argument could be made that we're reclaiming this word, (I have changed my mind on this point) but it still seems suspect to me. Thoughts? Is there another word we could use instead? "Tipping" someone into a fandom?
Using "teenage girl" as an insult
There are two elements to this, one is ageism (young people are undeserving of respect), the other is misogyny (young women are *especially*) undeserving of respect.
The moment that sealed it for me was a couple of lines from a fanfic called Ordinary Life by Cesperanza and shalott:
"Oh, shut up," Rodney said, panting, when he climbed out after five laps and dropped back into his chair. "We don't have much of a swimming season in Edmonton. I bet I could kick your ass ice skating."
"Sure, and if that were a real sport instead of something teenage girls do, maybe I'd care," John said, tipping the bag back for the last crumbs.
"A man who uses as much hair gel as you do should not be casting aspersions on teenage girls," Rodney said.
I laughed aloud, because this is it exactly; and later thought: it doesn't matter if you use hair gel or not-- no one should be casting aspersions against teenage girls.
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In linkspamming "The Special Disability (Fail) Episode" of Glee, I saw several people say, "I wonder if any people in wheelchairs tried out for the role of Artie?"
The producers claim that they did have wheelchair users audition, but that none were as talented as the able-bodied actor who was cast.
I'd like to point out that there is a different way to frame the question. Did the producers actively recruit wheelchair users for this role? Did they go out of their way to create an accessible and welcoming environment? Is there a reason that a wheelchair using actor might stay away from such an audition? Oh, like maybe discrimination and oppression?
Using "teenage girl" as an insult
There are two elements to this, one is ageism (young people are undeserving of respect), the other is misogyny (young women are *especially*) undeserving of respect.
The moment that sealed it for me was a couple of lines from a fanfic called Ordinary Life by Cesperanza and shalott:
"Oh, shut up," Rodney said, panting, when he climbed out after five laps and dropped back into his chair. "We don't have much of a swimming season in Edmonton. I bet I could kick your ass ice skating."
"Sure, and if that were a real sport instead of something teenage girls do, maybe I'd care," John said, tipping the bag back for the last crumbs.
"A man who uses as much hair gel as you do should not be casting aspersions on teenage girls," Rodney said.
I laughed aloud, because this is it exactly; and later thought: it doesn't matter if you use hair gel or not-- no one should be casting aspersions against teenage girls.
-----
In linkspamming "The Special Disability (Fail) Episode" of Glee, I saw several people say, "I wonder if any people in wheelchairs tried out for the role of Artie?"
The producers claim that they did have wheelchair users audition, but that none were as talented as the able-bodied actor who was cast.
I'd like to point out that there is a different way to frame the question. Did the producers actively recruit wheelchair users for this role? Did they go out of their way to create an accessible and welcoming environment? Is there a reason that a wheelchair using actor might stay away from such an audition? Oh, like maybe discrimination and oppression?
oops I commented on LJ
Date: 2009-11-19 02:01 am (UTC)I see pimps nearly every day on the street. I am HELPING my friends and myself publicize our work, not viciously using their bodies for my own profit.
I think to "reclaim" a word, one must somehow have been personally affected by it. Most of us on LJ do not fit into that category.
That said?
I think I've used it.
For similar reasons, I really hate "bitches," but I may have used it once or twice, too.
As for whether or not the casting director actively and vigorously sought out actors in wheelchairs, if they had, they'd be trumpeting this fact to the heavens.
Re: oops I commented on LJ
Date: 2009-11-19 03:43 am (UTC)That is an excellent definition of reclaim, thank you!
That said?
I think I've used it.
I am somewhat of a radical who is trying to eliminate a lot of oppressive language from my vocabulary, and it is very very difficult, because it's around us all the time and completely insidious, and sometimes I slip or just don't want to think about it anymore. I don't think we have to be paragons of perfect language use to criticize common usage or say that it is wrong--if that were the case, no one could ever criticize. We couldn't even correct each other's spelling.
As for whether or not the casting director actively and vigorously sought out actors in wheelchairs, if they had, they'd be trumpeting this fact to the heavens
GOOD POINT.