Introduction to Women's Studies with Dr. Holly Stovall
“Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted.” Albert Einstein
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
For 11/8: Pyramid of Egregiousness | Name It. Change It.
This is quick, but be sure to put cursor on each section to see what's underneath. What's the point of this interactive graphic? What is it saying? Pyramid of Egregiousness | Name It. Change It.
I found this pyramid of egregiousness interesting. I agree with how most of the words listed in categories were harmful. Some of the words however, I wasn't sure what the harm was about them, such as the word "sweetheart". Also, there were a couple words of which I have heard said to both men and women and didn't view them as sexist comments such as "opinionated, temperamental, and bossy". Otherwise, I find this triangle an interesting way to classify different degrees of sexism in a hier'archical way and that as long as labels such as these exist, equality will still be out of reach between men and women.
the pyramid holds some truth, but some of the words, I feel, are being stretched. The word sweetheart isn't sexist. It is sometimes used to undermined, but even then, their isn't much punch behind it. A man can be bossy, emotional, and temperamental just as much as a woman can. It occurs to me that the severe words at the top of the pyramid, are the ones that are heard daily. Such words as sexy or baby are not even seen as sexist anymore, rather a compliment.
This was really interesting to see. The least offensive words are probably the most difficult too change. Because as Karen and anonymous said these words are almost seen as complimentary. Prior to coming back to school, I was in the private workforce for 20 years and I ran across this all of the time. I had bosses and co-workers that would call me sweetheart, honey, etc. At first I was flattered, but the older I got the more I realized the reason they used those words to address me is because they saw me as inferior rather than a peer. Also, I think the last tier is more harmful because it is a sneaky, underhanded maneuver for men to "put women in their place" without being blatantly obvious. They know what lines they can go to without being seen as an oppressive person. At least with the top tier you know what their motives are. Whereas with the bottom one the lines are blurry, and particularly difficult to delineate. Those words have become such a part of our fabric that we don't even see it as sexist.
Wow before I read Angie's post I was thinking to myself; what's wrong with the bottom tier? Sure it's not nice to ask what's wrong with something on somebody. But i didn't even think that men were degrading me in the workforce calling me babygirl or sweeheart. I just thought it was because I was younger, but this helped me see it's because I'm female. But I do agree with the rest, all throughout high school I heard a lot of the top tier and didn't think anything of it. I never really heard the middle tier though. I believe that this graphic is pointing out to young women, with Angie's help, what should not be acceptable in our society, and it's only acceptable now because we let it be....
Karen Sanders says,
ReplyDeleteI found this pyramid of egregiousness interesting. I agree with how most of the words listed in categories were harmful. Some of the words however, I wasn't sure what the harm was about them, such as the word "sweetheart". Also, there were a couple words of which I have heard said to both men and women and didn't view them as sexist comments such as "opinionated, temperamental, and bossy". Otherwise, I find this triangle an interesting way to classify different degrees of sexism in a hier'archical way and that as long as labels such as these exist, equality will still be out of reach between men and women.
from anonymous,
ReplyDeletethe pyramid holds some truth, but some of the words, I feel, are being stretched. The word sweetheart isn't sexist. It is sometimes used to undermined, but even then, their isn't much punch behind it. A man can be bossy, emotional, and temperamental just as much as a woman can. It occurs to me that the severe words at the top of the pyramid, are the ones that are heard daily. Such words as sexy or baby are not even seen as sexist anymore, rather a compliment.
This was really interesting to see. The least offensive words are probably the most difficult too change. Because as Karen and anonymous said these words are almost seen as complimentary. Prior to coming back to school, I was in the private workforce for 20 years and I ran across this all of the time. I had bosses and co-workers that would call me sweetheart, honey, etc. At first I was flattered, but the older I got the more I realized the reason they used those words to address me is because they saw me as inferior rather than a peer. Also, I think the last tier is more harmful because it is a sneaky, underhanded maneuver for men to "put women in their place" without being blatantly obvious. They know what lines they can go to without being seen as an oppressive person. At least with the top tier you know what their motives are. Whereas with the bottom one the lines are blurry, and particularly difficult to delineate. Those words have become such a part of our fabric that we don't even see it as sexist.
ReplyDeleteAngie Petersen
Wow before I read Angie's post I was thinking to myself; what's wrong with the bottom tier? Sure it's not nice to ask what's wrong with something on somebody. But i didn't even think that men were degrading me in the workforce calling me babygirl or sweeheart. I just thought it was because I was younger, but this helped me see it's because I'm female. But I do agree with the rest, all throughout high school I heard a lot of the top tier and didn't think anything of it. I never really heard the middle tier though. I believe that this graphic is pointing out to young women, with Angie's help, what should not be acceptable in our society, and it's only acceptable now because we let it be....
ReplyDelete