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Columns by henryjoe, by newest first

  • Choice of Words by henryjoe
    Our choice of words are not always politically correct. "Manpower", "man in the street" are considered politically incorrect and yet they are still in use today. I use them myself. I don't believe that I am being offensive or misunderstood when I do.

    When I speak of "manpower"' I am referring to the power of men which, to me, is a strength that surpasses that of a woman or child. It is commonly known that men are physically stronger than women and children so why would I not refer to this strength as "manpower"? Referring to the weaker sex as women is stating a truth. Women are generally weaker than men. This does not make them less than or stupider than men. it just means they are different. In my books, that's o.k..

    The expression "man in the street" is an expression that generally refers to all people in the street. There was a time in our history when men were the ones usually found on the street while the women remained indoors and rarely ventured out without a male escort. This may have derived from a safety standpoint of men being unable to control themselves around the opposite sex. However, times changed and women are just as likely to be seen on the street with their children. How should we phrase it now? Man/woman/child on the street? "Homosapiens on the street" is quite a mouthful.People on the street appears to be popular but it raises the question of which people. The local people? Tourists? Foreigners? This can become quite confusing when "man in the street" has always been a reference to all those who are in the street at that time.

    I think I will stick to words and phrases that are generally understood so that my meaning can be made clear. It could very well mean that my writing will still hold such sexist and politically incorrect words and phrases like "manpower", and "man in the street". It is more important to be understood than to confuse every one with a poorly comprehended correctness of speech. Men are men, women are women. We are all valuable whether referred to as mankind, homasapiens or people and the distinctions between us do not change because of the words we choose. So let's make a choice of words that are understood throughout the generations instead of rewriting it for this time and place and dating ourselves accordingly.