Don't worry, Em, nothing a couple of sessions of electroshock therapy won't cure.
I'm trying to come up with ways for how to avoid that issue. How to voice mild criticism as a woman without being called hysterical:
- Do it while being naked?
- Not threaten to drown people in your menstrual blood?
- Add some typos so the man won't feel intellectually threatened?
- Change profile to appear male and deal with the "White Knight"-accusations?
I'm open to suggestions.
Yeah, I don't know
where I got the "I must be outraged by something, so I'll be outraged by everything!" comment from.
But it's okay, go ahead and tell us how you're not really bothered by it, despite every single thing you post screaming otherwise.
First, yes, language most DEFINITELY changes. You're the ones who are refusing to see that.
Second, clearly you didn't actually read your link. Or, more correctly, you failed to notice the words "often" and "usually." Hint: Those aren't synonyms for "always."
Third, it is okay as a general rule
because "chick flick" is a general fucking term in common usage. The only people who make it offensive are those so desperately eager to be offended that they make a big deal out of it. Hint: That's people like
you.
Likewise,
any word can be offensive or pejorative. "Girl" or "woman" can be used just as easily as "chick" in any -- literally
any -- declaration someone makes if they're intending their comment to be offensive.
Finally, you don't have the right to not be offended. Crying and weeping in response to anything and everything that upsets or insults you personally is just
pathetic, especially when its something as absolutely minor and inoffensive as a term like "chick flick."
Yes, it really is the only reason its called a "chick flick." It's cute, memorable, and catchy. Feel free to come up with a variation that uses a largely innocent term for "man" that also rhymes. Personally, I can't think of any movie-related rhymes for "dude," "guy," or even "metrosexual." If you succeed, however, I guarantee it'll catch on, too.
For those interested in how the term 'chick flick' came to be, there's this, from
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/chick-flick.html [underlining mine]:
<A bunch of interesting stuff>
By 1995, 'chick flick' was well established. In December that year
The Syracuse Herald Journal ran a review piece in which they invited a group of young women to review two recent films by Demi Moore. That included comments on the film
Now and Then, starring Demi Moore and Melanie Griffith, reviewed by Katie Racculia:
"For guys, it's just another mind numbing 'chick flick.' But for us, the members of the fine female sex, 'Now and Then' is a funny, touching story where we can see a bit of ourselves and our friends in the characters."
The intended put-down could hardly be plainer.
First, did you even read the first line of that article? Here, let me quote it for you: "A film with characterization and storylines that appeal especially to women." Oh, the offense! The tragedy! The horror! I'm drowning in menstrual blood!
Second, I love how you completely cut out the rest of the article,
all of which shows just how innocent the term is. And what you did post? Shows
women using the term with a negative connotation, not men, and worse? They're putting the words into a man's mouth simply because of...
Third, yes, "chick flick" is often used with distaste by a lot of guys. In exactly the same way a lot of women roll their eyes at movies aimed at guys. I'll repeat that:
In exactly the same way a lot of women roll their eyes at movies aimed at guys. Not because they're using "chick" as some kind of offensive term, but because those types of movies are not in any way appealing to them. Their insulting the type of movie, not women.
Does that make "guy movie" an offensive term? It should, shouldn't it? No matter who says it, why they say it, or how they say it.
If not, you're just being a massive hypocrite.
