[NIFL-WOMENLIT:2334] Re: choice of words

From: Daphne Greenberg (alcdgg@langate.gsu.edu)
Date: Wed Oct 09 2002 - 12:42:11 EDT


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From: "Daphne Greenberg" <alcdgg@langate.gsu.edu>
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Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:2334] Re: choice of words
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Sylvan,
I agree with you. But, maybe we need to be clearer with our choice of words. Instead of labeling a class/book/seminar/etc. diversity, or multicultural, we should be call it women, or Latina, etc.
Daphne

Daphne Greenberg
Associate Director
Center for the Study of Adult Literacy
Georgia State University
University Plaza
Atlanta, GA 30303-3083
phone: 404-651-0127
fax:404-651-4901
dgreenberg@gsu.edu
>>> sylvan@cccchs.org 10/08/02 17:27 PM >>>
At 12:18 PM 10/08/2002 -0400, Daphne Greenberg wrote:
>Can the same be said about terms such as "diversity" and "multicultural"? 
>Often these words imply nonwhite and/or nonmale. But to me, this means 
>that white and male are the norm, and everyone else is the diverse, the 
>multicultural, the other. If we really mean diversity, and 
>multiculturalism, shouldn't the discussion focus on everyone?
><SNIP>


Sure, but the reality is that the standard *is* white and male. As soon as 
you include white males in a study (or discussion!), somehow theirs is the 
only reality given any credence. I can't tell you how many times I heard, 
when I was working on issues of domestic violence, "what about battered 
men?" Sure, it happens, and sure, it needs to be addressed. But quickly the 
discussion devolves into how oppressed men are and leaves the subject of 
women being battered and how to change the balance of power to make real 
change in the lives of women.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Sylvan Rainwater  .  sylvan@cccchs.org
Clackamas County Children's Commission
Oregon City, OR USA



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