Do you like being called a ‘female’ instead of a ‘woman’ or a ‘lady’? I definitely object to the term ‘female’ as a substitute for ‘woman’ as these are not interchangeable in civilized speak. From reading English historical novels, the word ‘female’ often implies an insult. Used in certain contexts, it implies someone of low-status or caste, less than human, more like an animal. Yet, in speaking about women in general and their involvement in daily events that attract coverage by mainstream Malaysian media, the term ‘female’ is often used to describe their gender. It is even used interchangeably with words like, ‘lady/ladies’ and ‘woman/women’. In contrast ‘male’ isn’t as often used for men. Continue reading “21st Century Woman”
Month: March 2014
Boy with Bottle Shoes
Charles Dickens was a socially aware writer who knew very well, the world of the poor. In Britain’s 19th century Industrial Revolution, society was engrossed in the wonders of technology and the wealth it could generate with little concern of the consequences of these great inventions or the impact they had on those who worked to keep the technology in motion to generate increasing wealth for the owners of the machinery. In Dickens’ day, the work house, child labor, merciless exploitation of workers, debt imprisonment, slum dwelling and the under-world of cut-throats, pick-pockets, thieves and beggars were the lot of the poor. Continue reading “Boy with Bottle Shoes”
Green Guardians
We’re going through a dry spell or is it a drought? Since end of last year, one side of the country had too much water and the other went perceptibly dry. Now, everywhere is becoming almost arid with water-rationing in some states. Directives emanate from the state and Federal authorities, that citizens must skimp and save water. Yes, we should do that for our own conservation. Continue reading “Green Guardians”
Winking at Life 