Your new post is loading...
“I’m not a guy,” the instructor said. She was answering a student presenter who called the class “you guys.”* He paused and blinked. But “you guys” came tumbling out moments later.
“I. Am. Not. A. Guy.” she said again, unruffled. For the next few moments he grew redder, repeating his mistake and hearing the same composed correction. Finally he finished, seemingly unable to absorb the idea that men + women ≠ guys.
The student was mimicking a familiar irritant: imagining that “male” words are gender neutral. This path is so worn that even feminists follow along. But consider this: female words do not enjoy the same privilege. Calling a mixed-sex group “You gals” would be extraordinary. A She might be a “Hey man.” But a He is not “Hey woman.”
When the gate swings only one way, toward obfuscating or negating women, it’s worth another look."
