Is it sexist to call a woman a witch?

the word "witch" does have a negative connotation.

*I* see it as sexist.

No matter what they really think.

BTW, over at a website not to be named (where tombstoned DU'ers go when they die) one poster called me a Crone.

I actually took it as a compliment.

As a sexist slur, witch has almost NO power.

but it is not sexest. When did the email go out asking this to be the topic of the day?

:shrug:

Lighten up.

In one of the groups, there's a post basically stating that demeaning depictions of women are demeaning to women, and damned if there aren't people arguing that demeaning depictions of women aren't demeaning at all.

You could probably start a poll asking if being sexist is sexist, and about half of DU would scratch their heads and dodge the question, kinda like that waterboarding question.

And how many men have been discriminated against on the basis of their gender, on the level that women have?

doesn't carry a sexist connotation though.

Never Warlock, its a linguistic mistake by some people who saw a word that "looked cool" and co-opted it for their own purposes, without bothering looking up its proper Scottish meaning.

I wish you would.

and it's been a pretty even gender split in the Wiccan gatherings I've been to.

Gender aside, it's offensive to use it as an insult, period.

so were men, when they went against the grain of society.

Do you think that will win people over for Hilary Clinton or are you just trying to annoy the crap out of every body?

That's rather amusing.

Your candidate is homophobic and sexist.

How the hell do you have any idea who "my" candidate is? I've never stated that I had an opinion one way or another.

But it damn sure isn't Obama, who, as far as I can tell is the only homophobic person running on the ticket.

So, anytime someone responds to you about Hilary Clinton, they are automatically an Obama supporter? That's amazing and almost amusing.

Some women identify themselves as witches, in a positive way. And when I went out trick-or-treating as a witch, was I self-hatingly identifying with the oppressive male hegemony by my choice of an intrinsically sexist costume?

Think about it.

Okie dokie.

If so no problem. I have never seen a "SPOOK" as it relates to the racially insensitive term you want to use here be considered an acceptable costume. A Casper costumer would be fine. In all of the years of GOD DAMNED HALLOWEEN I have never seen a witch costume deemed politically incorrect.

She was wearing a bride costume, and was mistaken as a "witch." What was so offensive, was Barack Obama (APPEARING AS HIMSELF), joining in on sexist jokes like that.

When was the last time a man was referred to as a witch in the real world?

and hang with witches so it is pretty common in my real world.

Most Americans are not wiccans...

Go to you local Publix in Orlando, and call the meanest,baddest looking young woman you see a witch and see what happens...

Actually, in a case like that, there is probably a 50/50 chance she really is a Witch, though it would probably be nicer to ASK her if she's one. Using your words as a description, I'm assuming you mean self-confident woman with a self-assured look about her. Granted I'm attracted to that, unlike most guys.

Chances are she's most likely a Wiccan, probably eclectic, though she could just as likely be a Cermonial, Eclectic Magician of sorts, a generic Witch, if you will, or of some other Pagan path. If you really want to get slapped in the face though, you should ask her if she has time for a "Great Rite" that night.

on whether or not she's made of wood.

if the persons behavior is not a response to your own abysmal behavior.. then they are expressing their own frustration and suffering.

because they lack the skillful means to become happy on their own.. they may have a chemical ballance...your own unskillful response to her suffering only makes the situation worse and perpetuates the suffering of 'Both of you'.


say a prayer for her to be happy,that has worked for me many times.. be helpful, maybe the only thing you can do is try not to make it worse.. and that is a good thing.

learn to meditate and it will quit bothering you.. and you will quit bothering them.. that is an extraordinary improvement for all involved

I can't imagine how anyone could question that?:shrug:

There are no absolutes here, so the yes/no question is invalid.

The answer, of course was no because we deserve it, apparently.

... but she's not a man-hater, of course.

In fact the majority who call a particular woman a witch even state that witch rhymes with bitch.

so it would have to depend on the context and the intent.

here's one for you: is "looney" supposed to be derisive and insulting when used to refer to a left-leaning liberal?

...self describe as witches much the same as a minister in a Christian Church might call him or herself a pastor. The meaning of the word "witch" was infused with very negative associations during the Inquisition in particular and led to more recent outrages against humanity such as the Salem Witch Trials.

I never use the word witch to refer to someone unless I am referring to a genuine Wicca practioner or am referring to a fictional figure such as "the wicked witch of the piece of fiction.

It really isn't a word that should be played around with. Sometimes it is fine sure, sometimes calling someone a "fag" is not taken as offensive in context either, but fag too has roots in the Inquisition.

:shrug:

It's better than "bitch."

I just can't get all excited about it. It's sexist to claim a woman can't do certain things or claim to be able to say she wants certain things just on account of being a woman, and that's way worse than mere name-calling.

...who the fuck cares?

The world is full of sexist language that targets men and women, compared to the real problems in the worlds you might as well complain about mildew.

.... no it isn't. People who get upset over stuff like that amaze me. And I'm damn sure not alone.

Clue for the overly sensitive on behalf of others mostly who don't give a damn crowd - find something real to get exercised about.

Want a list?

Our constitution is in shambles.

The middle east could break into chaos at any time.

The people who REALLY run our country want to pick a fight with Iran.

Our economy is months or at most a few years away from crumbling.

Our political system is so broken that, not just in the Republican party, the crap rises to the top and then we wonder why everything is so messed up.

And your concern is what MIGHT be sexist language depending on how you see it. Your a real rocket scientist.