Winter Break Assignment

  Language has a connection to race and gender in conversation, media, entertainment, an even politics. There are many terms that have been used to undermine people based on their ethnicity or gender. Despite this fact, some have taken it upon themselves to try to make once derogatory terms positive. For example the n-word and the b-word seem to have taken on whole new meanings. The n-word, which stems from a racial slur is commonly used as an amiable term. The b-word, which once defined women that were looked on, now describes women with status.The fact that the people these words were meant to undermine now use them freely makes using such language seem empowering. However, some people argue that these words can never be positive because of where they came from. The n-word, originally meant an ignorant person, it was later used to label slaves. In "Nigger vs Nigga" on the Huffington Post, Chlaku Hanson discusses that the word should be banned no matter the context or ending. Another controversial view on these terms is that they can be appropriated.  In. "You Say ‘Bitch’ Like It’s A Bad Thing: Examining the Implications of the Notorious Word", also on the Post, Zoë Triska explains that even though name calling is bad, and that the context is never okay when it is done by a group that historically oppressed another. Because of this, Triska states "it will never be okay for a man to call a woman a “bitch.”". In my opinion , it is best to stay away from these words, as Hanson stated "If a word cannot be used in court, chances are, it’s a bad word."

Reaction to "I Want a Wife" and "Marked Women, Unmarked Men" 12/18/2016

 
    The essay "I Want a Wife" by Judy Brady and "Marked Women, Unmarked Men" by Deborah Tannen both analyze social norms concerning gender. In "I Want a Wife" Brady lists the various tasks that her ideal wife would have to complete while in "Marked Women, Unmarked Men" by Tannen discusses how women are labeled. Despite the fact that the essays were written at different times, they both still hold relevance today. The expectations for wives that Brady describes- cooking, cleaning, minding children, making sacrifices, are still ones that some men still have for their future wife. Also, Tannen broke down how women were judged based on appearance, from hair, to make up, to shoes. The authors both find ways to make readers ask themselves why these expectations or judgements were normal. Tannen does this with eye-opening facts, she states that women can have various titles , "Ms' or "Mrs" while men are simply "Mr". Judy Brady does the same with her seemingly ridiculous hypotheticals, she stated that she would want the right to easily replace her wife and children. Both essays provide interesting insight when addressing social norms involving gender.