Dear Gazette Newspapers: May I Have a Word?

In January I wrote an essay on language, specifically about one word, and its variations, and their usage, specifically the concern I, and others, have about how this word, originally created centuries ago, to describe Felines, has been perverted to such an extent that its more vulgar meanings are seemingly treated as the norm, and to use the word in its original context will get you funny looks, or worse, from those without a clue.

You can read the piece, and join the discussion, here: May I Have a Word?

Because of something I encountered when leaving an online comment to a column in a local newspaper, this morning, I fired off the following (And no, it's not the first such letter I've sent out into the world in defense of "The Word.).....

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ATTENTION:

Simon Grieve - Publisher

Harry Saltzgaver - Ass. Pub & Exec. Ed.

Shirley Dixon - Ass. to Publisher

Darcy Leigh Richardson - Editor

 

Dear Gazette Newspapers:

 

My name is Nikita...

 

I'm just an ordinary Guy Cat, 12 years old, fixed, and declawed, living happily indoors all my life, with a Human Male who loves me dearly, and has encouraged me to share his passion for blogging for the last 8 years.

 

Your About Us Page, on your website, says that you have "grown to become the foremost source of community news and information in the affluent southeast corridor of Long Beach, Calif".....The Grunion readers "are educated and most hold a college degree. They travel, dine out and use professional services more than any other demographic group of its size in Southern California".

 

For the last 7 years one of MY biggest issues has been in the realm of Language Usage by Humans as it affects the Feline Community, especially in English Speaking Nations.

 

Words have meaning.

Words have a History, especially in Literature.

Some words, over time, have their original meanings perverted by succeeding generations of users, thus leading to their original meaning being nearly forgotten for lack of use in that fashion, and any potential users fear of being mis-understood when using the word in public.

One such word is the one at the center of an essay, the latest version (3rd in 7 years) of which I posted, on my blog, earlier this year.

The word is "PUSSY", and its related words such as Pussies, and Pussy's.

Over the last decade some voices have spoken out in defense of the original meanings of this word, and against its perversion.

I am just the latest to do so, and probably the very first Feline to go public with my concern, and part of my effort has been to continue to put a spotlight on those Humans who came before me in the fight.

 

My essay is here: May I Have a Word?

 

Your efforts on behalf of the Feline Community are to be applauded, especially your articles, ads, and the Dogs & Cats Column.

 

Such efforts for Cats help bring attention to important issues.

 

Which brings me to something I noticed when I left a comment to the most recent Dogs & Cats column.

 

I had to change a couple of words because a message told me the following:

 

"Your name and/or comment contains inappropriate words, such as "pussy".

Please edit your message and then resubmit."

 

So Smart Pussy became Smart Cat, and Proud Pussy became Proud Feline, in order to satisfy your censor.

 

See comment I left to this column:

 

In modern day vernacular most Humans seem to consider the use of the word Pussy to be a vulgar slang, and find instances of its usage toward other Humans to be cruel, demeaning, hateful, and damaging psychologically.

 

As a Feline I consider the appropriating of this word for such purposes to be just as cruel, demeaning, hateful, and damaging to Felines the world over.

 

Your various editions show such great interest in the Feline Community, both Feral, and Domesticated, in your City, a City in which my Human works (He works in Downtown Long Beach, and Bikes to & from work, thru town every day, including Belmont Shores.) , that I am surprised, and concerned, about what the above message says about your publications, and whether it is in contradiction with your support of the Feline Community.

 

Whether it’s based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or species, prejudice is morally unacceptable.

 

Freedom of Speech is as important to us Felines as it is to you Humans but, just like Humans, we are offended by the way certain words are used, and feel it important to speak out about it, at every opportunity, so as to make the case for change, and hopefully be a positive influence on the evolution of culture, and society.

 

That such an important community resource such as yours apparently feels the way it does about a word so historically identifed with a certain portion of your readership (Yes, Felines can read, and I am not the only blogger, not by a long shot!)), is very disappointing.

  

Have you ever addressed this issue before and, if not, why not?

 

Would you care to do so now?

 

I would be more than happy to post any responses, to this letter, that you care to make, on my blog.

 

PS:

 

I have many links in my sidebar related to area organizations, and Feline resources including, as of this morning, your Dogs & Cats column.

 

I also have 2 continuing series of Exposes that feature not only Cats, but other creatures, many of whom live in, or pass through, the Long Beach Area.

 

ARCHIVE: Street Seens: Cats Outdoors, Thru the Daddy Cam

 

ARCHIVE: Seen & Heard: Critters With Cats on the Brain

 

Sincerely yours,

 

NIKITA CAT

Proud Pussy Pundit Since 2002!

Meowsings of an Opinionated Pussycat

Offishul Repurrter of The Cat Blogosphere Website

MOTTO: You Giva Me No Trouble  - I Giva You No Smack!

 

***UPDATE - July 6th, 2010***

 

Newspaper Editor To CB Repurrter "I Really Do Hate Being Politically Correct"

 

***END UPDATE***

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Artemisia, Fenris, Socks & Scylla]

We agree with U 100%.

When the boy beans were little they were a huge fans of Mother Goose and youngest boy bean's favorite was "Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been?.

When he would go outside to look for the cats he would say "here pussy......here pussy" to call us.

He was only 7/8, but the Dad had to tell him not to do it and explain that some rude beans use the word incorrectly and in a bad way and don't even know it's original meaning.

[Amy & The House of Cats]

Hi Nikita, we came over from the CB because we were intrgued - and we have to say we agree with you!

And we have seen this problem with other words too (our mom couldn't even get a hotmail account for years because her last name is Hitchcock and it always said that the last name spot contained an inappropriate word - even though her cousin with the same name worked for the company!).

We are getting tired of humans taking a nice, sweet, simple word and turning it into somthing bad for their purposes!

We think it is time to take back the pussy!!! (And now we have What's New Pussy Cat in our heads - see, there it is again in an innocent way!)

[Kat]

I was taught from childhood to use the proper medical terms for my body parts.

I have always done so, and taught my children likewise.

While I do not mind the use of 'nicknames' for body parts by adults during consenting conversation or sexual activity, I do not care for any of them that have other meanings.

To me, 'pussy' means 'cat' and 'cock' means 'rooster' etcetera.

[Zippy, Sadie and Speedy]

Bravo Nikita, we's with you 100%!

Signed:

Three Proud Pussies!