Quote:
Originally Posted by skylark
I hope my vote is counted on the offensive side in SWTX's poll.
I totally agree with the above explanation of why: it equates women with sexual objects as their only worth. If you don't think it is offensive, then try to imagine calling your mother (or grandmother) a "sororstitute" to her face and imagine her reaction.
And I think racial slurs are very comparable because many people who are racial minorities will use the term as slang, but it doesn't make the word less loaded.
I promise to judge every person on this board who uses the term "sororstitute" so don't feel picked on, Phi Gam.
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Of course I think you ought to judge anyone you want to judge and be offended by anything that offends you. But based on the number of my former students who have used the term in my presence and their varying attitudes about women, I don't think it's going to be a valid and reliable indicator that a person who uses the term hates or wants to abuse women.
Personally, I don't think a derogatory word based on a bad stereotype of a small subsection of a group, like "sorostitute," is ever going to equate to a racial slur that denigrates a whole group, but to each her own, I suppose.
ETA: if you said it to my mother, she would just think you were kind of an idiot, but she wouldn't see it as a reflection on her or assume than you showed a disregard for anyone other than sorority women. Showing disregard for sorority women is a problem if you are one AND you think the person using the term is implying something about your character, rather than making fun of the stereotype.
I don't think you should ever talk about anyone's mother or grandmother during fraternity rush. It would be a mistake.