That’s A Daring Stance Indeed

Professor “joins the lowercase ‘movement'” (sic) to reject the “symbols of hierarcy”.

Let’s forget for a moment that she’s keeping the “Doctor” in front of her name – as noxious a symbol of hierarchy as there is.

But let’s dig a little further.

Writing in pure lower case is the sort of stylistic affectation afforded almost exclusively to “artists”, from the wonderful e.e.cummings to a raft of “quirky” and almost invariably tiresome cartoonists, “writers” and other “artists” – almost all of whom get whatever legitimacy they claim from being part of the academy or some genus of counterculture or another…

…all of which is another term for class privilege.

Wonder if I can find a “lowercase movement” meeting somewhere?

Also – it’d be interesting to run a poll of indigenous Americans to see if professors affecting lower case helps them, and how much…

12 thoughts on “That’s A Daring Stance Indeed

  1. “ManyGuns has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Thomas University, a master’s from Carleton University, a law degree from University of Ottawa and a doctorate from Trent University. Her academic papers and projects are always on Indigenous subjects and informed by traditional knowledge.”

    A Tommy. That explains a lot.

    “As a restaurant server, high-steel construction worker and chef, ManyGuns experienced discrimination and lateral violence but refuses to let it define her.”

    ‘Lateral’ violence? There are different types of violence? Well, yes:

    “Lateral violence is when one person exhibits harmful, hostile or aggressive behavior toward a coworker or group of coworkers. Lateral violence can take many forms. One worker may be overly critical of a coworker or may even publicly humiliate a fellow worker. Sometimes ignoring or excluding another worker can be just as damaging. When this behavior includes withholding information a worker needs to do his or her job, results may suffer.”

    That’s a eye opener. We thought we were just ignoring her because she’s a pain in the . . . .

  2. I read that “full statement” which is, indeed, bereft of any capital letters as per Dr manyguns’s strong and daring stance.

    But I was surprised – appalled even – to see all the commas. As is well-known, commas mark a pause and thus invite interruption. Don’t think the comma is a tool of the patriarchy? Then what is that hanging bit under the “period part” of the comma? That hanging bit is a sign, an iconic dog-whistle, if you will, that calls to all persons with hanging bits (and I think you know what I mean) to jump in and interrupt a female just trying to get to period.

  3. “ManyGuns has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Thomas University, a master’s from Carleton University, a law degree from University of Ottawa and a doctorate from Trent University. Her academic papers and projects are always on Indigenous subjects and informed by traditional knowledge.”

    When did she have time to work As a restaurant server, high-steel construction worker and chef? Oh wait, I guess those advanced degrees can only prepare you for those lines of work.

    This whole bit should be punctuated by a Rodney Dangerfield clip doing his bugeye best “I get no respect”

  4. She’s the vice president of “the office of indigenization and decolonization” at Mount Royal University.

    Here’s her syllabus…

    ‘the office of indigenization and decolonization resist acknowledging the power structures that oppress and join the movement that does not capitalize. we support acts that focus on inclusion and support the right of all people to positive etc’ resist acknowledging the power structures that oppress and join the movement that does not capitalize. we support acts that focus on inclusion and support the right of all people to positive etc’

    Why do I have to go to work today? Just send me money.

  5. I wonder if she’s having an Emily Litella moment?

    She’s against Capitalizing because heirarchy stifles equality. Do you suppose she means Capitalism, a system which promotes the heirarchy of hard work and thrift over sloth and squandery?

    Could be headed for a giant “Never Mind” in a few days.

  6. Once again, she most likely reports to white people. That’s a hierarchy of white privilege if ever I’ve seen one. Using her own logic, she should resign.

  7. “dr. manyguns” needs to consider how oppressive her very name is. She scares me because, you know, guns.

    Seriously, what strikes me most is that of all the things that genuinely oppress “First Nations” people in Canada and the U.S., capitalization doesn’t make the top 100, I’d bet. But we’re probably not allowed to mention the first 99 or so real issues.

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