The language we use #2
June 12, 2013
Just want to say how livid I am about what I saw today.
The following menu is from Mal Brough’s Liberal Party fundraiser:
(for any overseas readers, the Liberal Party is our current government’s opposition)
Where Rudd has been called a Goose, Simon Crean isn’t anything harsh at all, but a piece of Tenderloin Steak, where as our Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has been described as having:
‘Small Breasts, Huge Thighs & a Big Red Box’
I am DISGUSTED.
I find this offensive to women – ALL women – because the men aren’t vilified in the same manner. Period.
Worse still, it happens over and over again – as I pointed out in a previous post: No respect.
Those who claim our Prime Minister has never been treated unjustly due to her sex, can go jump.
Question#166: When will the way we speak about women, incense all those who read or hear it?
Especially men?
When?
Deep, deep, deep, breath.
x
Questions for Us 
Thank you thank you for this – I am in a white hot fury over this incident and more so the responses (or lack thereof) that dismiss this as a minor event. Day after day we are subjected to so much disrespectful attitudes towards women. What chance to the rest of us have if the PM is treated with such derision??
Some days I wish I could un-see what most folks seem/choose to not see because I’m exhausted with challenging or ignoring sexism ALL. THE. TIME. sighhhhh
I am ever hopeful that is the final backlash before the unavoidable feminist enlightenment that has to, has to, has to be right around the corner.
Thank you for your words of support!
I’m feeling quite numb about it all at the moment – I feel the same as you.
I’m not sure if we’re close to passing some sort of tipping point, but one thing is certain – we HAVE to keep speaking up and calling out.
It definitely won’t happen if we give up.
Thank you so much for your comment.
🙂
This kind of thing is unthinkable in the UK. I had hoped it would be in Australia, but it seems not. Makes me feel tainted just by being a man. I shall contact this ‘Liberal’ and make my feelings known. Julia Gillard likewise. Keep up the good work exposing this garbage.
Thank you so much! Don’t feel tainted – we need men like you! 🙂
The sad part is – if we’re to believe the media – our first ever female Prime Minister will lose the upcoming elections and with it any hope that a girl would want to aspire to the job after how she’s been treated. Even more sadly, equally by women.
Onwards!
Thanks so much for your kind words. x
I am still deeply, fundamentally offended and angry over the whole menu. And I’ve got into arguments defending Prime Minister Gillard, and pointing out how plain wrong it was and still is. I’m so angry I find it hard to even figure out how to say what I need to, and for a poet this is a major problem.
I find it hard at times to articulate what I feel without letting my true emotions vomit out onto the screen. Hahaha!
It’s truly frustrating.
Yes: it’s demmed frustrating, especially when I have writing as my vocation. Any suggestions of how to cope are welcome.
Lots of whisky!
…and deep breaths – not necessarily in that order. 😉