[Marxism] Re: Academic whoring

[Brian Shannon <brian_shannon@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sell-out,  betrayer, renegade are probably better terms. A thesaurus
would be the best source. That would help in selecting particular
pejoratives to fit the topic

My Jewish mother who, married to James Michael Anthony Shannon,
"passed" to the world (and to me until I was in my 40s), once used
the phrase "jewed down" in front on my Jewish wife. She didn't
apologize except by a look that indicated that she was ashamed. I
certainly got an earful from my wife in private.

I haven't followed the discussion intimately so I am sure that
someone else has noted the following.

The use of the word "whore" by socialists is not only sexist but
reflects a class prejudice (not on the part of the user herein who
simply repeats society's terms) as well. Those who have to sell the
most intimate physical affection are overwhelmingly (excepting the
completely imaginary creation of a character once played by Catherine
Deneuve) poor, on drugs, etc.

If any group, whether women, racial or sexual minority, objects to
words that they feel are pejorative and for which an entirely
reasonable substitute is possible, it shouldn't be used. It's use in
humor, particularly within a group, is an entirely different subject.
Even here, better safe than sorry.

Brian Shannon


> kersplebedeb wrote:
> no idea what a better term than "whore" would be, but while
> thinking about this it occurred to me that the objection people
> have to real non-metaphorical whoring is usually that somebody
> (normally a woman) is doing something for money which many people
> would prefer she do for "loftier" reasons like love.
>
> Louis Kontos wrote:
> I would not use any loaded term in any situation where objection
> is  taken by a comrade, for any reason whatever. Having said that,
> I like  to be able to call things what they are, as best as I can,
> and  contribute to solidarity on that basis -- by being honest. So
> if  there's a better term for academic 'whores' than whores, I'd
> like to  hear it -- this is a serious question.


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