From: mmmirash@midway.ecn.uoknor.edu (Mandar M. Mirashi)
Subject: Re: History
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 03:04:52 GMT
Organization: Engineering Computer Network, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA

In article <92358.123606HERSCH@auvm.american.edu> <HERSCH@auvm.american.edu> writes:
>In article <BzMx11.HCE@constellation.ecn.uoknor.edu>,
>mmmirash@midway.ecn.uoknor.edu (Mandar M. Mirashi) says:
>>
>>This is in direct response to Herschel (sp?) 's contention that "history"
>>isn't considered sexist by ANY feminist. He/She asked for references
>>which disprove this conjecture.  Also, he/she contended that "herstory"
>>isn't used seriously and people refer to it in jocular exchanges. He/she
>>asked me to provide an example where such a reference isn't jocular.
>>
>>Reference : Robin Lakoff : "Language and Women's place". 45-80.
>>
>>Lakoff considers the argument for changing the word "history". The
>>argument goes as follows. A part of the word "history" is the masculine
>>"his" (you can read the word as "his story") but women also make history;
>>therefore, the usage demeans women.
>
>
>You predictably misstate my earlier challenge to you, which was to
>give published references showing some feminists proposing to replace
>the word "history" with the word "herstory". You have not done so.
>Unfortunately my university library lists the status of its copy
>of Lakoff's book (whose title you have wrong) as "reported missing",
>so I am unable to judge for myself what it says. However, in your
>summary it's hard to tell whether Lakoff is arguing that the use
>of the word "history" demeans women or is merely referring to others
>who make that claim. Could you give us some actual quotations from
>the book? Please don't be insulted, but I haven't got much reason
>to expect you to summarize it honestly. Perhaps someone else with
>access to this book could do so? It's rather difficult for me to
>believe it says what Mandar seems to be saying it says: Lakoff
>is a linguist, for god's sake.
>
      Hmmm...I think the title is "Language and Woman's place". Anyway,
I am faced with a similar problem when you ask me to give you actual
quotations from the book. Although the book is present in my library,
som miscreant has TORN OFF pages 45-60. So, I had to use an indirect
reference - a criticism of Lakoff's book. Can you check if your library
has the book "Sexist Language - A modern philosophical analysis"? It
is edited by Mary Vetterling-Brown and I have its 1981 edition. Please
check Page 89, 3rd paragraph.


>>Now for the word "herstory". It will surprise you H. Brown that there
>>is a BOOK entitled Herstory.
>>
>>Herstory : A woman's view of American history - Sochen June.
>>
>
>That's "Browne", but you may call me Herschel. No, this does not
>surprise me. My field is history, so it's my business to know the
>things that go on there. Even though I don't "do" American history,
>I was familiar with this book. You will find, if you look into it,
>that the author uses the word "history" and derived words all through
>it. She uses "herstory" to make a point. 

Exactly, and feminists want to use "herstory" to make a point. And
they want to use "people" instead of "man" to make a point; all of
which seems pointless to people like me.



                                                          Mandar.
-- 
"Imagine there's no countries. It isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die 
 for, and no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace.
 You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some
 day you'll join us, and the world will be as one." - John Lennon.