feminism friday
(Uncle Roy, I haven't forgotten about your question. I'll respond to it soon, I promise!)
Pfc. Chelsea Manning, the whistleblower just sentenced to 35 years in prison, announced that she would prefer that everyone please use feminine pronouns for her, now. Really, this isn't that difficult - look, I type "Chelsea" instead of "Bradley," because she told us that is how she would prefer to be called, and I write "she" instead of "he." Bam, done.
But apparently this is difficult for some people. And by "some people," I mean, "major news media."
Feministing's article, The Shameful, Unacceptable Media Coverage of Chelsea Manning's Transition, offers a great, in-depth accounting of what is basically media agencies' outright refusal to listen to Manning's request, and continue using masculine pronouns anyway.
I mean, what the hell, people? This request does not hinge upon your understanding; if that's the real issue here, go forth and educate yourselves about trans* folks, the processes of transitioning, and how to be an ally. But what y'all are doing now, by saying variously that because she hasn't legally changed her name (do you know how difficult that is, even for someone who hasn't been branded a criminal?); she hasn't undergone surgery (another thing that is hella hard, even for someone with health insurance, since insurance doesn't tend to cover transitioning at any stage); that until very recently all of you thought of her as him, so that somehow makes you right and her wrong -- what you are doing now is essentially saying that you are a bunch of trans*phobic assholes.
Jim C. Hines writes about it on his blog, with an update. Earlier today, NPR was one of those media stubborn assholes, but - thanks to a whole lot of people writing in and saying WTF NPR, they've changed their tune. Check out Jim's post (it's short), and then read this: NPR issues new guidance on Manning's identity.
See, that's cool. That's a news agency saying, Well we thought we knew what we were doing, but actually we were wrong, so we're not going to do that anymore. Thanks, NPR, good on you. Now, if only everyone else would follow.
Pfc. Chelsea Manning, the whistleblower just sentenced to 35 years in prison, announced that she would prefer that everyone please use feminine pronouns for her, now. Really, this isn't that difficult - look, I type "Chelsea" instead of "Bradley," because she told us that is how she would prefer to be called, and I write "she" instead of "he." Bam, done.
But apparently this is difficult for some people. And by "some people," I mean, "major news media."
Feministing's article, The Shameful, Unacceptable Media Coverage of Chelsea Manning's Transition, offers a great, in-depth accounting of what is basically media agencies' outright refusal to listen to Manning's request, and continue using masculine pronouns anyway.
I mean, what the hell, people? This request does not hinge upon your understanding; if that's the real issue here, go forth and educate yourselves about trans* folks, the processes of transitioning, and how to be an ally. But what y'all are doing now, by saying variously that because she hasn't legally changed her name (do you know how difficult that is, even for someone who hasn't been branded a criminal?); she hasn't undergone surgery (another thing that is hella hard, even for someone with health insurance, since insurance doesn't tend to cover transitioning at any stage); that until very recently all of you thought of her as him, so that somehow makes you right and her wrong -- what you are doing now is essentially saying that you are a bunch of trans*phobic assholes.
Jim C. Hines writes about it on his blog, with an update. Earlier today, NPR was one of those media stubborn assholes, but - thanks to a whole lot of people writing in and saying WTF NPR, they've changed their tune. Check out Jim's post (it's short), and then read this: NPR issues new guidance on Manning's identity.
See, that's cool. That's a news agency saying, Well we thought we knew what we were doing, but actually we were wrong, so we're not going to do that anymore. Thanks, NPR, good on you. Now, if only everyone else would follow.