There is a display of books at the Coupeville Library called “Chick Lit.” It is not a collection of books on poultry. According to Wikipedia, chick lit is a genre term for a category of fiction and “chick” is American slang for a young woman. According to dictionary.com, “chick” is: “Slang: Often offensive, a girl or young woman.”

Slang referring to a person’s race or ethnicity is no longer politically correct or acceptable in our society, so why is gender slang still being used. Gender slang dates back almost to the beginning of human life and has mostly been about women. There are far fewer slang words for men. This slang is derogatory and demeaning and has had a great influence in the historical prominence of men in positions of power and authority.

There have been movements for many years by women for women to promote equality, the right to equal wages, etc., not to mention having to fight for the right to vote. But here we are in the 21st century and there is new slang being created still that is derogatory to women. A woman is not a “girl” a “babe” or a “chick,” just to name a few. A girl is only a girl until she reaches puberty, then she is a woman, just as a boy is only a boy until puberty, then he is a man. Why is our library promoting such derogatory slang against women? Or any slang, for that matter?

Is this an attempt to draw young people to the library by “speaking their language?” When their language is disrespectful why not find a better way.

“Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.” (Buddha).

Let’s work at building self-esteem in women instead of promoting this type of culture.

Deborah Emel

Coupeville