Bullshittage

A sign at the The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in London:

A scramble to apologize without any mention of what was wrong with the “signage.”

The statement issued:

Earlier today on-campus signage at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) was shared on social media.

Our intention, following discussions with our student community, had been to communicate the definition of TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist) to help clarify what we considered to be growing misconceptions around what the term means.

It’s not a “term.” It’s an incendiary device, like “cunt” and “bitch” and “whore.” It’s an epithet. The point of it is to invoke and inflame hatred of women. Trying to “clarify” its “definition” is like trying to clear up the meaning of “nigger.” This isn’t a dictionary thing, it’s an incitement of hatred thing.

We got it wrong. 

The signage is clunky and we can see how it can be misinterpreted as an ICMP view and/or policy. 

The signage has now been removed and we apologise profusely for any offence caused.

The sign is not “clunky”; the sign is a frank and open incitement to hatred of women.

The issue is not “offence” so much as fear. Men are afraid women will laugh at them; you know the punchline. It’s not unusual for men to inflict physical violence on women, including murder. Institutions putting up signs saying “Here’s a reason to hate women who are defending their rights” are not merely “causing offence,” they’re putting women at literal physical risk.

The “profuse” apology is rejected with prejudice.

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