Ban Term “You Guys?” Thanks, Feminism
Just when I think I’ve read every liberal proposal to change our culture, I find this little gem, brought to us by radical feminism:
Jeneé Desmond-Harris of Vox.com recently wrote an article entitled, “Why I’m finally convinced it’s time to stop saying ‘you guys.’” I have to say that, as a proud wordsmith AND woman, I choked on my coffee. Ban the term “you guys?” What is happening with people today?
Take a look at WikiPedia’s definition of language inside the parameters of Feminist Theory: (Bolded for emphasis).
“In this debate, women writers have addressed the issues of masculinized writing through male gendered language that may not serve to accommodate the literary understanding of women’s lives. Such masculinized language that feminist theorists address is the use of, for example, “God the Father” which is looked upon as a way of designating the sacred as solely men (or, in other words, biblical language glorifies men through all of the masculine pronouns like “he” and “him” and addressing God as a “He”). Feminist theorists attempt to reclaim and redefine women through re-structuring language. For example, feminist theorists have used the term “womyn” instead of “women.” Some feminist theorists find solace in changing titles of unisex jobs (for example, police officer versus policeman or mail carrier versus mailman).”
Is it me, or is this just plain crazy? Am I less of a woman because I call a policeman a policeman? Am I now a woman hater if I happen to say, “What are you guys up to this weekend?” Good grief.
Let’s get this straight. I’m a woman. I’m a woman who worked 15 years as a paralegal, working with countless male attorneys (and plenty of female attorneys, too). I am also a woman who owns her own company. I have always heard people saying, “Hey guys” or “What are you guys doing for lunch?” Many times, those statements were directed at me amid mixed groups of men and women. Did I shrivel up and start bellowing out a rousing rendition of Helen Reddy’s song, “I Am Women Hear Me Roar?” Of course not! It honestly never occurred to me that the term “You Guys” was offensive. I guess it’s time for me to turn in my “staunch feminist” card (Wait, I don’t have one. Never mind).
Am I proud of the many accomplishments women have achieved over the years? You bet. As women, we won the right to vote. We can work outside the home as CEOs (thank you, Carly Fiorina), doctors, journalists, lawyers, teachers, political leaders, or we can proudly run our homes and take care of our families. The sky is the limit for women. But the huge number of feminists who absolutely hate men with their passionate, angry rhetoric is ruining our homes, our schools, our universities, and our workplaces.
Regarding this “guys” rhetoric, Desmond-Harris quoted author and activist Alice Walker who said that women refer to themselves as guys “because it represents a ‘fear of being feminine.’” Ms. Walker, I have absolutely no fear of being feminine, and I occasionally use the term “guys.”
I think this Vox article is a symptom of a bigger problem. Radical feminists are trying their best to erase any words related to “man” or “men” or “male” because they despise them. These women do not need men in any area of their lives, and they would be happy to have them disappear altogether.
