I also consider hag more to describe someone who is mean rather than someone who is ugly, but I also think sexism is what you make of it and a lot of things are somewhat more subjective than many people make them out to be.

Here’s the original letter; they cut a few pieces out here and there, but kept the general spirit of it. (Everything above the sig, anyhow.)

fwiw, I wonder if she realizes that we’ve both written for the same blog?

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As a vegan feminist, I’m increasingly disturbed by the number of animal advocates who are willing to engage in sexism (and other “isms”) in the course of their advocacy – “for the animals,” of course (as if women are not sentient beings as well). Take, for example, Rory Freedman’s use of the term “fur hag” to describe those who wear fur (“Prison or Bust,” December 2009 issue). “Hag” – a gendered slur that is synonymous with “witch” – literally means “an ugly old woman.” While fur-wearers may indeed be ugly on the inside, a person’s gender, age and physical appearance say nothing of her character. If Ms. Freedman – or any other animal advocate – feels the need to resort to insults, please keep them “ism”-free. “Jerk,” “loser,” “asshat”: all convey a point – without further marginalizing already-marginalized groups of animals, human or non.

Kelly Garbato
Kearney, MO 64060

kelly.garbato [at] gmail.com
www.easyvegan.info

By the way, I wrote a lengthy piece on the term “fur hag” last year, wherein I expound upon the sexist, ageist and sizeist nature of the phrase in much greater detail than is possible in 250 words or less. Additionally, I employ PETA’s associated “fur hag” campaign imagery to further illustrate my point. You can read the post in its entirety at bit.ly/vl8sB

Seriously, tho’, enough with the misogyny!

So anyways, can you get permission from VegNews to share your own words? ;)

@ Shannon – re: Voldemort – YES! I’m on book 3 on mp3, btw.

Have you by any chance read Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials? Total awesomeness! (For those who had the bad luck of watching The Golden Compass before/without reading the books – the movie doesn’t come close to doing the story justice. Trust me.)