[MR] Your Women?

[Michael Houghton]

Howdy!

On Thu, Sep 02, 2004 at 02:23:16PM -0400, Logan wrote:
> Jaine wrote:
>>
>> I'm picking at something that to many will be a nit, but to me it is a
>> significant statement. 
>> 
>> "Please, do not let your women walk unescorted after dark at Pennsic." 
>> 
>> I am not an object to be owned. I believe the phrase, "Please, do not
>> let anyone walk unescorted after dark at Pennsic." would be less
>> irritating to those of us who find the concept of 'ownership'
>> distasteful. If I seek or accept escort, it is because I am making a
>> decision about my own safety. Thank you for offering, I prefer not to
>> do you also dislike when someone refers to you when speaking to someone else
>> as "one of your friends"?  it amazes me how easy it is for people to allow
>> themselves to be offended.  glad i dont suffer from that.
> 
Aside from being a bit perturbed at the phrase "your women" conveying a sense
of ownership, Jaine also suggested that the problem is not one of *women*
walking alone after dark, but a general "someone walking alone after dark"
concern. It's a general safety matter, not a gender-specific thing.

Speaking of "one of my friends" does not convey any sense of ownership, but
speaking of "one of my women" does have that subtly different connotation.
I don't see any suggestion of "evil" intent -- just a lack of care in choosing
words.

I, too, was a bit perturbed at that phrase, sharing Jaine's concerns.

yours,
Herveus
-- 
Michael and MJ Houghton   | Herveus d'Ormonde and Megan O'Donnelly
herveus at radix.net         | White Wolf and the Phoenix
Bowie, MD, USA            | Tablet and Inkle bands, and other stuff
                          | http://www.radix.net/~herveus/