#alanrickman pic.twitter.com/4WXwnoUtM7
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) January 14, 2016
Earlier today, as you no doubt have heard, legendary British actor Alan Rickman passed away, at age 69, from cancer. Actress and activist Emma Watson, who had worked with Rickman on numerous Harry Potter films over the years, paid tribute to a man she had considered a friend, writing on Facebook that she felt
lucky to have worked and spent time with such a special man and actor. I’ll really miss our conversations. RIP Alan. We love you.
Watson followed up her tribute by posting a number of quotes from Rickman on Twitter, including the one above.
And that was all it took to rouse the vast internet antifeminist troll army, who took to Twitter to attack Watson for supposedly “exploiting” Rickman’s death to push her evil man-hating agenda. They called her a bitch, a feminazi, a whore, a tw*t, and of course an SJW; they dropped the c-word so many times I fear it might be permanently broken.
Never mind that the “agenda” she was supposedly pushing was in fact Rickman’s agenda too. She didn’t make up the quote; they were his actual words, from an interview he gave to Australian chat show One Plus One. Watson was remembering Rickman as the feminist he was proud to be.
Perhaps the most offensive Tweet of the day came from the unlovely and untalented “journalist” Milo Yiannopoulos of Breitbart. Several days ago, you may recall, Milo attempted to use David Bowie’s death as a way to get some cheap publicity for himself; he rather outdid himself in this department today with this insensate Tweet:
I told you feminism was cancer pic.twitter.com/syKFBkF3cG
— Milo Yiannopoulos (@Nero) January 14, 2016
Congratulations, Milo; you’ve won today’s Worst Person on the Internet award.
Delete your account.
Except that Genn was just being snarky with you and not accusing you of being an “MRA wanker”. We are snarky to one another sometimes. It is a thing.
And now you’re accusing a person of not reading your post simply because they didn’t agree with you or what? All because we don’t agree that people should be able to use the word “c*nt” with impunity because it’s fucking sexist because it uses my fucking genitalia as an insult? I don’t care if you find it offensive or not, all we’re asking is that you don’t use that word here.
Some “ally” you apparently are. You’re more worried about using a word you want than the comfort of other women around you, and then trying to call us out for “not being aware that there are other countries besides the US”. That’s just straight up fucking selfish, Jo, and that’s not how you fucking ally.
Also, we’re not here to “argue effectively with the enemy”, we’re here to mock them. You’d think someone who apparently has posted here before would be aware of this. This isn’t a debate platform, this is a mockery blog.
Misandry isn’t a thing.
If anything, I’ve come to the personal conclusion that dick and cock are rather cissexist and transphobic, rather than “misandrist”, so I also don’t use those words as insults myself.
You want a good thing to call someone that has a lot of syllables in it that isn’t offensive to other people? Try calling them a particularly nasty foodstuff.
For instance, I called a troll in an earlier thread a “pumpernickel and horseradish sandwich”.
You’d be surprised how venomous I can make that statement if I try hard enough. Hell, feel free to throw in a “fucking” or two to really punch it up if that suits your fancy.
And there’s also the perfect insult generator. [Adverb] [Adjective] [Swear word] [Noun]. For instance: “You impossibly-spotted shit banana!”
There’s no need to refer to body parts to insult people. There are plenty of original terms out there. Hell, Shakespeare has quite a few good ones that I’m fond of as well.
The English language has well over a million words. I’m sure you can find words or phrases that don’t have sexist connotations (like using genitalia to insult people) and can still meet your quota for constants.
Wow. That’s a grand fucking assumption, right there.
While the site is US based, we do have quite a few commentators who are from the UK, and even Australia.
Thank you for assuming we’re all fucking stupid and/or xenophobic. That’s a great way to prove your point. [/sarcasm]
Except we’ve had this conversation a billion times before. You’re not the first person to pop up in the comments section and say “But, but! C*nt’s not a swear word in the UK, so why are you making my life so haaaard?”
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been on the site, Jo. If you say something trollish, ya gonna get called out for it. Insinuating that we should be allowed to use the word ‘c*nt’ solely because it’s not offensive in the UK falls under this category.
If I had said “I don’t think we should consider ‘d*ke’ a slur because I’m into women sexually and it’s not offensive when it’s between two lesbians!” I’d be torn a new one, and rightfully so.
And it’s not like we’re asking you to give up the word entirely, just be mindful of saying it in this comments section. That’s all we’re fucking asking. It’s not like we’re telling you you can’t say the word elsewhere or else we’d strike you down with an orbital laser, for fuck’s sake.
All we’re asking is for a little respect from you to not use the fucking word around here. There’s a metric shit-ton of other words you can use.
In fact, I’d argue that the only one driven by ego here is you. You’re the only one making an argument that you should be allowed to say a word that you don’t think is sexist because you live in a country where it’s common vernacular and isn’t as frowned upon, despite other people from the same country telling you that it’d be best if you didn’t say it here.
You’re the one acting like you’re the victim in all of this, going so far as throwing around baseless accusations that people have decided you’re a “MRA wanker” and calling out WWTH for ableism because you have a sleep disorder and she questioned your location, because people do lie on the internet. It’s not a personal attack on you if we don’t take your words immediately at face value.
Oh, and as for the “No one’s addressing my points!” bits: One, no one here is obligated to address any of your points. Again, this is a mocking website, not a debate platform.
Two, several people already fucking did.
You’re the one who is making this your hill to die upon, all we’ve asked you to do is not use a word that is really fucking offensive, something you’ve admitted in your first post (before whining about it).
‘But I use the c-word a lot and I get really, really tired of explaining why it is not sexist here’
I’m sure everyone who reads this blog is aware that there are people who believe that.
In fairness to Jo, I’m acquainted with a number of excellent British feminists who want to reclaim and normalise the word “c*nt.”
I’ve never heard people say that “lady” is offensive before, though. Other UK mammotheers: do you find “lady” to be a slur? Should I spell it “l*dy”?
I’ve also never heard a British feminist claim “free speech” as a defence when called out over bad behaviour, probably because we don’t have free speech over here. The only way I can think a British person would use that term is if they spend enough time online for their linguistic and cultural norms to become influenced by Americans; in which case that British person is probably also not a fair judge of how offensive words are in the UK.
Derailing 101 – why can’t I use the c*nt in the comment section? Meanwhile, I’m grieving for Rickman.
See? Paradoxical knows how to swear. Take a page out of her book, Jo. Learn from the Americans on how to not be a snotty weasel’s asshole.
Also Jo since when was lady a slur in the UK? Yeah I find it weird if a mother with her kid says ‘mind that lady’ about me in a shop but that’s only cos I still feel like a kid myself. If she said mind that c*nt she’d have another thing coming. But that’s by the by since the c word is no where near as much a part of the common British vanacular as you are making out. Twat is much less offensive and occasionally affectionate in certain circles. People who use c*nt as commonly as you seem to imply you do are more often than not received with some surprise and definitely offence by the British public as a whole. The only place you can use it the way you seem to want to is with close friends cf. ‘Ya stupid c*unt*’.
Just for the record, I am British and I find the use of the c word highly offensive, unintelligent and sexist. Most people here do not find it acceptable, IMO. I have never heard it used in an affectionate manner. In my children’s schools it is regarded as one of the worst words that a child could use.
Thanks to Emma Watson and David for bringing my attention to Alan Rickman’s words about feminism. Thank you Alan for all your wonderful work. You will be greatly missed.
Ok but Srsly tho, Jo said asking people not to use gendered slurs in a feminist blog is “ALIENATING”.
RLY? Holy drama seriously whaaaaaaaaaaaat
Dude…
If someone is looking for gender neutral insults, they can always look to the german language. There are so many beautiful german – especially austrian german – swear words! Like:
“Arschgeige” – literally “assfiddle”
“Armutschkerl”, “Wappler”, “Vollpfosten”, “Vollkoffer” – idiot
“Grätzen” – literally “eczema”, an annoying person
^^
I just want to express my sorrow for the loss of Alan Rickman. He was, by the accounts of his contemporaries, a supportive friend with a playful nature. By the rest of us he was an amazing actor. May his memory continue with us for many years.
@ Jo
Oh, you’re weawwy, weawwy tiwed of expwaining it? :((((((((
I’m really, really tired of hearing how sexist bullshit automagically isn’t sexist when some self-proclaimed ally does it because reasons.
I just want to analyze the brownish fluid leaking from Jo’s tear ducts to verify that they are really that full of shit.
I haven’t felt this sad about a celebrity death since Robin Williams. On subject of Jo: this is a site where we generally try to be respectful of everyone, see the comments policy on ableism which is one of the strictest you’ll find anywhere. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that we don’t like it when you use gendered slurs? Firstly, it’s a feminist site and secondly, WHTM takes a fairly “better safe than sorry” approach to slurs in general.
It really sucks about Alan Rickman :(. I can only assume he and David Bowie made some sort of pact together!
Aside, the whole ‘c*nt is not a swear where I live!’ thing is a bit overdone. Especially if the impetus is ‘Antifeminists are calling Emma Watson a c*nt in what is CLEARLY NOT A FRIENDLY MANNER’, busting in to declare that you and your friends use it in a friendly manner seems irrelevant, at best. Pretty sure the MRAs aren’t just trying to be buds with her.
I live in Australia, which is similar to the UK in the way that there are fairly large groups that use ‘c*nt’ in a friendly manner towards each other. I only know of one person who might be a feminist that uses it in that manner, and only to their close friends – never to strangers on twitter.
It’s pretty widely understood to be offensive (and super-offensive, probably still the single most offensive insult around), though. There’s still a huge furore when a politician calls another politican a c*nt in Parliament, or even references it obliquely (‘C U Next Tuesday’ is used in this manner’).
Also, I had to laugh at Jo’s apparent defence of ‘No, I’m a feminist, really!’:
I sort of assumed that this was their way of saying ‘Look, I’ve been a commenter in good faith here for six years!’ Except no, that post was made yesterday, three hours before their faux-upset about David’s disgusting US-centric cultural bias.
Maybe instead of being ‘see, I’m a long term commenter, not a troll!’ they meant ‘see, I made a single post on a long-dead thread, I’m not a troll!!’?
Of course, even a long-term commenter should (and no doubt would) be shot down for such a weird irrelevant rant about their right to see c*nt uncensored.
He is such an ally. He even says what’s offensive to women and what’s not so we won’t have to. Thank you plenty.
And if mocking you for using this old argument and entitled way of speaking is already enough to alienate you as an ally, you should review your allyship (if that’s even a word).
Don’t try to tell women what’s misogynist and what’s not, and don’t get all butt hurt when you’re called out – this is feminist ally 101.
Hi! I’m Glaswegian, and as people might be aware we use the word ‘c*nt’ pretty often to just mean ‘person.’ As in, ‘some c*nt’ to mean someone and ‘any c*nt’ to mean anybody. Not someone we’re annoyed at or insulting. I say it all the time, to mean ‘person’ or also to mean ‘dickhead.’ I say it in front of my mother.
In that context, I still understand why many would find it offensive and I would censor/avoid using it accordingly, but IMO it is completely different than in the context of the post above. I don’t mind people who know me calling me a c*nt for taking their last strawberry creme or going to see Star Wars before they did.
Calling a woman the c-word for existing, breathing, quoting, being a feminist…it is gendered, misogynist and vile. I don’t think it is ever ok to call a woman that word as a real insult. It is too heavy, its connotations hang in the air. It’s offensive. It makes me feel slightly ill. There is a world of difference, in the UK – even in the c*nt capital of the UK, if you like – between:
“You awful c*nt, I can’t believe you finished the wine while I was in the bathroom!”
“You awful c*nt, I can’t believe you are using Alan Rickman’s death to push your feminazi agenda!”
One = lol
Two = *skin crawls for great distances*
Bringing up the totally different UK usage of the word is irrelevant and derailing and really weird and disingenuous. I just thought I’d give my 2p because if anywhere in the UK really does have a c*nt-habit, it is Glasgow and I completely disagree with Jo.
I agree with everybody about Jo. Jo got their clock cleaned
Wait a minute, “clock cleaned?” Orange tango, you’re bowman from Twitter!
(Or did I already know that?)
Very sad news about Alan Rickman. Ní feicimid a leithead arís. 🙁
On an aside I find the c-word deeply hurtful. I live in Ireland where it is used quite frequently, but usually by men who claim it is a jokey way or as the “ultimate” insult. I know it is not always intended that way but I, and most people I know, would never use it especially in front of our Mammy’s! (Irish Mammy’s are notoriously strict on language until they are really angry which is when they start to say feck a lot)
To Jo: in your circle you may use that word as often as you please. This doesn’t mean other people won’t find it upsetting. When you decided to comment on a blog to defend the use of the word you come across as a troll. You wouldn’t go up to a group of people chatting and say hey I use the word c*** all the time and its not MEANT to be offensive. Most people would react like the people here have, with a hearty what the fuck or who are you?!
Also I love the term puffed up poppinjay as an insult, from my beloved P.G Wodehouse 😀
Assfiddle
*smiles warmly*
Rickman was lovely. The world was better with him on it.
I use the B word affectionately in certain company. I have the good sense to consider my set and setting when I do. My friend knowing I’m being ironic does not mean the rest of the world has to tolerate me using a slur.
Check your entitlement issues, Jo.
Yeah, I’m really, really sad that Alan Rickman is no longer with us. He was one of my favourite actors.
In other news, I’m really, really NOT sad that Jo doesn’t like it that I don’t think there is a way in which “cunt” as it is most often used, yes even in the UK and the magical land of Oz, is not misogynistic. Like, I honestly do not see it. Equating someone to female genitalia, usually in a negative sense (even like in the example above: You awful c*nt, I can’t believe you drank all the wine! – that’s a negative way! You’re using a slur for a laugh, *because* it’s so damn offensive!) is inherently misogynistic.
How can people not see that equating someone to female genitalia in a bid to shame them and tell them how awful they are (because female genitalia is so awful, you see) is misogynistic at heart? And yes, btw, I also don’t use words like “dick” and “prick”, although i think that there’s once again this pesky little thing like a power differential to contend with before you can start crying “Misandry!”
There are legitimate efforts to reclaim “c*nt” from feminists, but of course, that’s not what we’re talking about is it? Legitimate reclamation happens for example, when Melissa McEwan (and I know some people find her problematic, this is just for illustrative purposes), who gets called a c*nt a lot in a decided effort to gravely insult her, says “I am queen c*nt of Fuck Mountain”.
That is clearly, to anyone with eyes and a brain to think, worlds removed from:
“You fucking c*nt” \
and even
“You awful c*nt, you drank all the wine”
This isn’t rocket surgery.
Sorry for the double post, but I just wanted to note that most places where I’ve been and especially where I come from, “pussy” is about the same degree of seriousness as “c*nt”.
I’m with the others, fellow Jo, they’re telling you not to use an offensive word on an American centric website because, well, it’s a huge deal here. By all means, keep foul mouthing it up with your friends, god knows I do, but consider your company before you try to make a complaint like this. Seriously.
Also so sad about Alan Rickman ;___;
Genn,
I agree with you, I think the c word is inherently misogynistic, even when used by someone who is not consciously using it in this way. This conversation has reminded me of a derogatory word that was used in the 70’s in the UK to make fun of people with disabilities and also as a general term of abuse directed at non disabled people. The fact that it was not just aimed at people with disabilities, or that it may have sometimes been used amongst friends in a casual way does not mean that the term was not offensive and ablist. Thankfully the word became unacceptable and is now archaic in the U.K. I look forward to the day when we can say the same thing about the c word.