Male Chauvinism: An apology

Outside of the US, a Chinaman is called just that, like Englishman, Frenchman, etc. Colin Powell, born in New York, was loudly rebuked for using the term, and it would not be surprising if this blot on his record was not used to fight his confirmation. He can protest that he has learned his lesson and swear he has never used it again. Otherwise he wouldn't stand a Chinaman's chance. All Bush nominees should be warned not to talk about "faculty wives", in view of the rebuke of which I reproduce an extract. Herself a faculty member, this usually aimable WAISer retains her maiden name, given here as X.

"Are there any faculty HUSBANDS? Mine gets called Mr, X quite often. The most effective way to get me to volunteer is just to ask me without category...I'm a bit allergic to the term 'faculty wife', although I'm quite happy to be a wife, because the term 'faculty wife' carries a connotation for me of being vacuous and intellectually lightweight--and of being relegated to doing dishes without being included in conversations of any substance. I will volunteer for you, but you might mollify any volunteers with the same provisos as mine by making a point of including your volunteers in some part of the substantive interaction."

My reply: When I first came to this country, women were regarded quite rightly as the culture bearers, more civilized than their boorish faculty husbands. The term "faculty wife" was one of respect, which female chauvinism has deprived of its glamor. The helpers will be doing essential tasks, such as manning (sorry, womaning or personing) the registrations desk or acting as hostesses (sorry, hosters), not just vegetating in a chair, but, with that understanding, they should be allowed to participate in discussions. As for paying for registration, that must be left to each helper-participant to decide. The highly esteemed Ms. X is hereby officially named a helper-participant, but i must be careful not to use the term helpmate. WAISers are asked to warn me of other landmines in the lexicographical field. That will make me a WAISer man.

Ronald Hilton - 1/09/01