A recent post for critique of a poem I wrote brought this response:
"I hate to go all feminist on you, but 'man?' I know some people say the man 'embraces' the women, but it's a new century and all."
The responder had trouble following the message of the origional poem. I then broke it down for her by stanza in hopes the message would be clear. The above response was what I got.
Now, when it comes to feminism I don't consider myself old-fashioned at all. However, I believe new century or not - the latest Webster’s will suggest this is still appropriate usage as an inclusionary noun. Hence I guess Webster would be one of those "some people" referred to above.
I find little flaw in most feminist doctrine and feel no need to pander. To use "people" or "peoplekind" would not do the poem in question any literary justice from my point of view...
Honestly, I am surprised anyone would make such a fuss over this in poetry. It is certainly different from business writing or press releases.
Am I being thin skinned? I think not. I'd respond the same way in defense of another writer in a like situation.
There is a time and a place in literature to invoke more specific gender references that denote both male and female where intended. I tend to do this kind of thing in essay or creative non-fiction. There remains a time and a place where the better choice reflects acceptable language that is more broadly inclusonary to mean "all of mankind” or "people as a whole." Using "Man" in that context is sometimes the better choice.
There are many places for feminists to (and a man can be on too) pick their battles. Where poetry is concerned, it may not be the best place to try and make your point.
I'm not sure why I say it like that. It's not so much that the week is going fast as it is that it's mid week and progress seems stalled.
Last night I filled in for Shannon on an advanced dog training class. Really didn't do anything else once I got home but take over with baby Barry and take it easy as best I could.
I had hoped to watch a video last night... had planned to tonight, but I don't know that this will actually happen now, or I'll be watching it along. Cathy has extra work to bring home.
I have some planning or administrative writing matters to deal with yet this week. I may try and get them out of the way and do some reading. The evening is still somewhat in flux, which is usually not a good sign. That leaves too much room for interference. That said, I'll just have to see what kind of damage I can do. ::sigh::
