Week 9, Let's Be Kind (or we might get sued for libel).

This week was eye-opening. As I listened and looked for language that is insulting, I realized that it is everywhere. I even heard it come out of my mouth once or twice, and it was often covered up by sarcasm. Intentionally or not intentionally, language does hurt and must be used wisely.

Sexism is everywhere. I work at a front desk and this week I had someone tell me, "The pretty front desk girls are the best." It was interesting to me because the same person would have never said to a male front desk staff, "The handsome front desk boys are the best." They would have just said, "The front desk workers are the best."

As a 20-year-old girl, the combination of sexism and ageism are reoccuring language insults in my life. This week the motor blower in my car went out. I called the local auto part shop and asked for some information about the part. I felt like I didn't quite get the right information, so I asked my dad call the same shop and get information. The situation was handled completely differently and he was actually given different information. My dad and I originally learned that it helps when he gets involved after a visit to Jiffy Lube. When I go to get my oil changed alone, someone tries to tell me my car needs a million different things. When my dad comes with me, my oil just gets changed and that's the end of it.

This week I found myself using agism. At my job, our typical client is 20-50 years old. This week I had an 80-year-old woman come in and I talked to her differently than I usually talk to other clients. I asked her if she needed help getting on the treadmill and bike (I would never ask younger clients that). I'm sure she recognized her special treatment. I didn't mean it in an offensive way, I meant it in a helpful way, but it definitely could have been taken offensively.

In the past, I have read and witnessed accounts of racism and "able-bodiedism." I agree with When Worlds Collide, when they explain the golden rule. Treat others as you would want to be treated!



I love this representation of ageism. I think ageism is something that we don't talk about as much as we should.