So we were at a charity event and everyone was lining up for a picture. I was in plains clothes since I didn't feel like dressing up and standing off to the side. I must have gone into my own world because I didn't notice that they were turning the group around for the picture because suddenly someone called out "Who's the chick? Hey chick, you need to move!" I'm pretty sure I did the slow turn and the death stare. What came out of my mouth was interesting though: "Don't ever call me a chick." and walked back towards the rest of the spotters and away from the picture taking.
Yeah, I H*A*T*E being called a chick. What do I look like, a baby chicken? NO! I don't have feathers (usually), I don't cheep, and I certainly don't look peck at the ground for food. But why did I have the reaction I did to that word. I'm sure I've been called that name a bunch of times before, but never had that kind of reaction to being called that. I usually just reply, "Don't call me that" and walk away, but this time something inside me snapped. I just wanted to go right up to the guy who said that and slap him! I don't know why, but I did. I think I was standing next to his wife or someone who knew him because the lady gave me this look when I said to a friend who was there that the next person who calls me a chick is going to actually get slapped.
I believe that people have gotten really lazy with their language lately. I did some research behind the term and thankfully I'm not alone in my thinking of this name as a bit derogatory. Some believe that it is derived from the British term "Bird" for lady. Some believe it comes from the Englishizing (yes, made that word up just now) of "Chica", which in Spanish means girl. "Hey Chica!" becomes "Hey Chick!". I may be reaching a bit here, but I still believe it is derogatory and rude and demeaning. What? Am I no better than a bird that many use as food?
I think I've just been in such a rotten mood lately that any little thing that could tick me off does and I've got such a short fuse because of it.
2 comments:
Ugh!!! I think it's more the fact that he was obviously being disrespectful than anything, no matter what word he chose to say. Whatever happened to "Miss?" Gosh.
I think you're right. It just gets me furious. I use "miss" "ma'am" "ladies" "folks" or "guys" (when it actually is a group of men).
Have people just become lazy with language and don't think anything of words and their meanings anymore?
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