Shaming Language
The following was inspired by my reading of a certain discussion thread on Hugo Schwyzer's blog.
I am a great believer in the power of language, especially its power to influence collective psychology. Sometimes, all it takes is one bitty little word.
Take for example, the word mangina, which a lot of MRAs use when speaking of men who support feminism. It's a clever neologism, and I have nothing against it. However, I think that for political reasons it is not the best choice.
Another word used to describe pro-feminists is the adjective "pussified", and I would object to that word on the same grounds as "mangina". I understand what is meant by the term, but it sounds rather juvenile after all...
I have another name for people like Hugo Schwyzer, and people like Michael Flood of Australia. I think it would be a good idea to call such people COLLABORATIONISTS. This word refers historically to those who co-operated with the Nazis during WW2, so it is a deadly insult - far more deadly than "mangina" - and yet there is nothing sexual about it, so it elevates the discussion to a completely different level.
Another good name would be quislings, in honor of the Norwegian collaborationist Vidkun Quisling.
Finally, to be just plain down and dirty and mean, pro-feminist males may be referred to as running dogs, lackeys or lickspittles. Again, nothing sexual about any of these.
However, I think that collaborationist would be the best choice for general purposes. If this word got into general circulation the lickspittles would fret and squirm and go on the defensive, and it wouldn't offer them any slam-dunk way to psychologize the MRAs who say it.
So, one would say "the collaborationist Hugo Schwyzer." But one should intone this in a non-chalant accent, smoothly and casually, with nary a trace of venom or animosity in the voice. Almost I should say, pronounce it matter-of-factly, as if it were indeed exactly that - a matter of fact, or at least common knowledge, that few would even bother disputing.
Being utterly bland and "la-di-da" about it (with a William F. Buckley accent!) makes it even more galling to the targeted individual or the targeted group.
Oh hey, some of you MRAs out there are just too friggin' hot under the collar. You guys need to lighten up and have some fun! Sheeesh!
It is best not to employ terms of generalized abuse, such as "maggot" or "shithead". It is true that these schoolyard insults have no sexual content, but unlike the ones I have suggested, they have no applicable descriptive content or historical association either, which makes them feel vacuous and devoid of reflection.
But seriously now. Very seriously. These people are exactly what the word says: Collaborationists. The word fits them like a custom-tailored velvet body glove. And that is not our fault. So just get the word "collaborationist" dancing on the tongues, and in the brains, of the general public, and that very same public will undergo a gradual inclination to ponder the actual meaning of the term, and why it is so applicable. And then some bulbs will light up.
I am a great believer in the power of language, especially its power to influence collective psychology. Sometimes, all it takes is one bitty little word.
Take for example, the word mangina, which a lot of MRAs use when speaking of men who support feminism. It's a clever neologism, and I have nothing against it. However, I think that for political reasons it is not the best choice.
Another word used to describe pro-feminists is the adjective "pussified", and I would object to that word on the same grounds as "mangina". I understand what is meant by the term, but it sounds rather juvenile after all...
I have another name for people like Hugo Schwyzer, and people like Michael Flood of Australia. I think it would be a good idea to call such people COLLABORATIONISTS. This word refers historically to those who co-operated with the Nazis during WW2, so it is a deadly insult - far more deadly than "mangina" - and yet there is nothing sexual about it, so it elevates the discussion to a completely different level.
Another good name would be quislings, in honor of the Norwegian collaborationist Vidkun Quisling.
Finally, to be just plain down and dirty and mean, pro-feminist males may be referred to as running dogs, lackeys or lickspittles. Again, nothing sexual about any of these.
However, I think that collaborationist would be the best choice for general purposes. If this word got into general circulation the lickspittles would fret and squirm and go on the defensive, and it wouldn't offer them any slam-dunk way to psychologize the MRAs who say it.
So, one would say "the collaborationist Hugo Schwyzer." But one should intone this in a non-chalant accent, smoothly and casually, with nary a trace of venom or animosity in the voice. Almost I should say, pronounce it matter-of-factly, as if it were indeed exactly that - a matter of fact, or at least common knowledge, that few would even bother disputing.
Being utterly bland and "la-di-da" about it (with a William F. Buckley accent!) makes it even more galling to the targeted individual or the targeted group.
Oh hey, some of you MRAs out there are just too friggin' hot under the collar. You guys need to lighten up and have some fun! Sheeesh!
It is best not to employ terms of generalized abuse, such as "maggot" or "shithead". It is true that these schoolyard insults have no sexual content, but unlike the ones I have suggested, they have no applicable descriptive content or historical association either, which makes them feel vacuous and devoid of reflection.
But seriously now. Very seriously. These people are exactly what the word says: Collaborationists. The word fits them like a custom-tailored velvet body glove. And that is not our fault. So just get the word "collaborationist" dancing on the tongues, and in the brains, of the general public, and that very same public will undergo a gradual inclination to ponder the actual meaning of the term, and why it is so applicable. And then some bulbs will light up.
posted by Fidelbogen at 7:24 PM
6 Comments:
I agree. I think collaberationist is a much better word than magina and I know others who will be happy with this also.
Thanx macha
Indeed, collaborationist has a ring to it!
Julie, BTW, some of your comments seem to be one-liners - like in-house memos - so I'll keep some of them "in-house"...
I agree with you in principle (especially if you want to reason with a feminist). However, both 'mangina' and 'pussified' have 'new word appeal'. One avoids the need for clarity when the two are used in combination + one gets shock value especially when dealing with pop-feminists.
Frequently, the mere fact that a pro-feminist reacts negatively to the jibe shows that he cannot subscribe to his own notions of 'redefined masculinity'.
This reaction allows one to question the pro-feminist as to why he is reacting negatively to the comment if he is allegedly secure in his masculinity.
A companion question might ask why he considers the term 'pussified' a pejorative if he is such a big supporter of feminism.
References can also be made to the Vagina Monologues and how habitual references to women as cunts, vaginas etc are made. The feminists support VM wherever it rears its ugly head. The argument can be made to a pro-feminist that if feminists call themselves cunts, he is wrong to take umbrage at what he should really consider an honorific.
**Center a 3/4 inch mustache above Quisling's lip and who'd ya get?
Wellll....I have relinquished all vain aspirations to "reason with a feminist" and I am vigorously promulgating a new policy which says "Don't argue with feminists. TELL them things!"
As for the terminology - mangina, pussified, colloborationist, etc...
....That's a case of different tools for different jobs. Ya don't wanna use a screwdriver where a wrench is needed, and visegrip-versa...
No doubt mangina, pussified, and their kin, will remain in circulation, but...
I know that "collaborationist" can reach into certain corners and accomplish certain things which those other words cannot. For example, on that thread at Hugo's which I mentioned, Hugo and pals were doing quite a number on the MRA psychology by critiquing their use of certain terminologies....
BUT..if somebody had stepped in and thrown "collaborationist" at them, it would have stopped that whole line of conversation dead in its tracks - and made quite the chilling effect, too! ;)
** Oh yes, the moustache! I noticed that very same thing, right off! And did you notice the lock of hair angled over the forehead?
I'm pretty sure that Quisling was just aching to grow such a 'stash himself, forebearing to do so because alas, the mimicry would have been plain for all the world to see!
I wonder if the last thought of the Norwegian forer as he faced the firing squad, was a lingering regret that he would never be able grow a moustache like the German fuehrer??
I prefer to use their own leftist language against them. They are Self-Hating Males.
Sorry for going retro.
This is an excellent article!
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