The 18-Person Responds

We were distributed to see, in a recent Crimson article about Quincy House, a reference to our suite as the "18-Person."

Our suite in the "18-Man."

Although we are, in fact, persons, we prefer the more specific, although admittedly genderbissed, "men." Your use of the word "person" is an unconscionable act of verbal castration which has left us bereft of our linguistic phallus.

However, the central issue is one of categorization. "Men" is simply the most specific rubric under which we all fit.

Were we all Jewish, would you refer to us as the "18-Theisi" Of course not. You would refer to us as the "18-Jew." Similarly, if we were all hyper-sensitive journalists of limited ability, we would be known as the "18-Crimson Reporter."

Furthermore, this imbroglio underscores a more central issue. We are as concerned as you are about the inherent prejudices of language. But as Wittgenstein noted, all words impose arbitrary categorical limitations on the nominal world.

Therefore, if in the future, you want to avoid the exclusionism, bias and hatred inherent is language, just stop writing. David Javerbounr '93   Jason Vincx '93