Oh god, political correctness. Now, They want us to ban the word ‘bossy’ because it inhibits girls from ‘leaning in.’ I would much rather ban ‘lean in’ if I were Minister of Language.
The new Ban Bossy campaign is predictably strident, sanctimonious and victimmy. Its stated aim is to encourage girls to become leaders. But how can they become leaders if they’re not bossy? Should they lead by manipulation instead?
‘Ban Bossy’ is brought to you by Lean In, the organization founded by Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO and author of the bossy best-seller that made ‘lean in’ a trendy and divisive concept for the media to feed on.
Lean In has managed to get the Girl Scouts in on the ‘Ban Bossy’ campaign, as well as bossy women like Condi Rice and Beyonce. You can go to the website and take the pledge to stop using the word ‘bossy.’
Or you can use whatever words you want. I want to lean out or at the very least, lean back. I don’t want to be treated like an idiot by some pseudo-feminist figureheads and business groups.
I wish I had been a lot more bossy when I was younger. I’m making up for it now, though. Tell me what you think. And that’s an order.
If schery Sandburg and marissa Mayer got into a cat fight who would win? A wet t shirt contest? The mind reels.
Well, there is a sense in which “bossy” is for little girls sort of what “sissy” is for boys of the same age, but for me it calls up images of Lucy Van Pelt, which can only be a good thing. And really, doesn’t it just describe some little girls absolutely perfectly (that stolid, unyielding expression they get, they way they know it’s going to be their way or else, and often not even slightly negatively.
Can’t they just ban GMOs, for heaven’s sake?
I’d like to ban stupid banning of words, but before that – let’s ban “lean in”!
I completely agree. It is a marketing campaign to sell more books (or something) that Sheryl Sandberg and her cabal of Silicon Valley strivers came up with – that has no relevance to anyone but a few women who actually care if they’re called ‘bossy’.
I despise the entire Sheryl Sandberg enterprise. Her ‘brand’ of feminism seems so irrelevant and tone deaf. Does Sheryl even know any regular women? Who is her audience? *Pukes* I hate them all.
I only have the most tenuous grasp on what this is all about, but to me it sounds like a woman worrying about a pimple on her nose when her arse is actually on fire.
I think the women of the world have bigger fish to fry than banning the word ‘bossy’.
Bossy is so empowering, I just makes me feel good to say it.
The very idea of banning words is far scarier to me than whatever problem they think it is they’re solving.
Also, who the fuck decided to ban the word, “bossy” ? So arbitrary!
What kind of insecure moron takes “bossy” as an insult? So strange! I’ve always considered it a compliment!
Finally, “lean in”. COUNT ME OUT.
I so agree with Slayer…when I was growing up the bossy girls (mothers, nuns, teachers, sisters, etc) got their way. They weren’t necessarily mean, just determined. At sixty, I think I have actually gotten the bossy thing down and love it! Instant respect and cooperation..just say yes boss!
Someone tell Beyonce to STFU! and put some clothes on. That would be far more empowering to little girls.
The word Bossy stays. I demand it, godammit!
In the immortal words of Kelis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSgp-IIgr4I
I think we should all lean in AND out more often…but only when dancing with t-rex arms.
I thought the idea was that “bossy” is an insult when describing female people, but the same behaviors are lauded as leadership when people with penises are doing the bossing. That’s true in my experience, and merits some thought and attention.
I’ve listened to SStamberg talk, and I still don’t know wtf she means by “lean in.” Do you lean in before you spring forward? Or after you fall back? The words make no sense! Therefore she is not the boss of my language choices.
I had to Google like woman possessed to understand any of this. Isn’t the act of banning a word, any word, bossy in itself?
I’ll rather stay stupid and ignorant and never learn what “lean in” means. At least I’m not bossy or empowered.
Shouldn’t they ban the Synonymous “bitch” while they’re at it? Don’t they always called the bossy girls/women bitch and bitchy too?
What the hell is ‘lean in”? Talk about contrived. At least pick something that is not an exercise maneuver.
Madam Restora said it all.
Apropos of bossy women – a friend of mine was telling me that her husband told her he’d just seen a programme on T.V. about alpha males and he said “I’d like to be the alpha male in this family, if it’s alright with you.”
She replied, “Sorry, dear. That position has already been taken.”
And there you have it.
Time for that “Shut up!” tattoo, isn’t it?
xo
Steph
Muscato – YES to everything! xo
Bessie the Cow – You should ask them that, if you’re feeling bossy.
Cricket9 – I am hereby banning “lean in”, Next person who says it gets sock in the jaw.
Slayer – Excellent points. I hate them too.
Madam Restora – Ha!
Debra – Me too. Bossy!!!
ali – We really need to get ‘BOSSY’ t-shirts.
Dj – Yep, yep, keep up the good work.
Suspended – Hahahahaha, if only Beyonce had a brain.
Lynn – She is just full of shit, and I can’t believe she won’t take her $$$ and go away already!
dust – I’m not empowered either. AND no one can slut-shame me. Just try!
me again – Agreed.
Andra – Why did you have to remind me about Alpha males????
Stephanie – I miss you. xoxo
MJ – I haven’t watched that video but I will.