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Subject:Re: Recent sexism postings From:Jim Porter <jporter -at- MACE -dot- CC -dot- PURDUE -dot- EDU> Date:Wed, 6 Oct 1993 10:03:41 EST
>Learn to recognize people as
>people. Accept the color differences and accept and enjoy the fact that the
>man upstairs does not see black and white.
Michael ... What makes you think She's a man? (Sorry, couldn't
resist.)
I agree with your point about showing basic respect for others, and
with your cautionary note about placing too much emphasis on variables
of race and gender. It's dangerous methodologically to assume that all
situations are reduceable to gender or race distinctions. On the other
hand, gender and race ARE significant features of identity--and one
criterion of respect for others IS to respect their differences. I
don't think we should ignore or obliterate difference, I think it has
to be accepted and addressed.
And, by the way, I think this issue is highly relevant to technical
communication, though the field in general has not yet taken up
the issue in a way that makes the connection clear.
Jim Porter
Purdue University
jporter -at- mace -dot- cc -dot- purdue -dot- edu