Re: space & gender

diane celia hodges (dchodges who-is-at interchg.ubc.ca)
Sat, 28 Feb 1998 18:25:38 -0800

At 4:46 PM 2/28/98, Ricardo Ottoni Vaz Japiassu wrote:
>Diane,
>
>I know "tomboys" and "faggy" are american slangs. As I'm not
>american and have nver been in USA I would be very pleased if you
>tell me what "tomboys" and "faggy" means.
>

Hi Ricardo -
these are indeed "slangy" terms. They refer to "girls" who "act" like boys
(girls who run, climb, play sports, dress casual, wear sensible shoes);

"faggy" boys is a painful and derogatory term used to describe
effeminate boys, usually boys who are "slight" in physical build,
and who aren't involved in typically "boy" activities -

I ought to step on that slippery line between words and their speakers:

particularly with the word "fag" - as a queer woman myself, I often use it
affectionately, with my gay men friends; they refer to each other as fags,

and like "nigger", these are historically offensive term used to denigrate
difference.

Black folks are deep in the discussions now, concerning the use of
"nigger", and what does it mean for black folks to refer to each other,
familiarly, as such;

the same discussions take place in gay & lesbian groups - calling ourselves
"queer"
is alleged to defuse the historically-assaultive intent of the word;
however, and this is the slippery slope,

*who* may refer to *whom* as "what," of course, is at the heart of this.
I perhaps should not have used the terms "faggy" (although, oddly, "tomboy"
is not an insult, ...

my thoughts on this have to do with the value of masculine culture.) For
boys to reject machisimo and "traditional" concepts of masculinity is far
more threatening
to masculine culture

than when girls reject traditional "feminine" constructs:
in other words, when girls act like boys, it's okay... 'cause they are
embracing the masculine characteristics which
are so valued.

It worsens considerably in high school. Tolerance for "tomboys" shifts
dramatically, to "dyke" and "lesbo" which are both intended, by
hetersexuals and/or homophobes
to denigrate the girl/woman, to chastise her for refusing "femininity";

as well, for boys, it is worse, much worse. It isn't about hurt feelings by
this time, but about beatings, assault, and, many many many gay youth
choose suicide...because there is NO SPACE at all for them in this culture.
Testosterone my arse. Space is about politics.

diane

"Every tool is a weapon if you hold it right." Ani Difranco
*********************************************
diane celia hodges
faculty of education, centre for the study of curriculum and
instruction,
university of british columbia
vancouver, bc canada

tel: (604)-874-4807
mail:
3519 Hull Street

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Hi,

My name is Hilde van Vlaenderen and I have recently joined the xmca.
I would to briefly introduce myself. I am a registered research
psychologist with particular interests in qualitative and
participatory research methodology; community development and
everyday cognition. I have recently submitted my doctoral thesis
which dealt with indigenous group problem solving strategies of South
African young community activists. The thesis involved the
development of a methodology appropriate for the study of everyday
cognition. For the last 7 years (up to end 1996) I lectured at Rhodes
university (South Africa). I gave courses on research methodology and
on Psychology in an African context. Besides my academic work I was
also involved in NGO work and consultancy work on participatory
community development. Currently I am residing in Tanzania for a
three year period. Since I have submitted my thesis I have been
writing up papers on my Phd topic and am getting involved in
consultancy work on community development. My aim is to combine
writing papers, doing some research on indigenous knowledge and doing
consultancy work for the coming two years. Possible collaborative
research would be very welcome

Hilde Van Vlaenderen