Posted on Jun 28, 2014
Should we stop referring to Naval vessels as, "She" as it may unknowingly be offensive?
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http://goatlocker.org/resources/nav/shipshe.htm
Naval ships have historically been referred to as, "She". A bit confusing when the ship is named after Ronald Reagan or Abraham Lincoln, but I'm willing to roll with it. Does anyone else feel differently?
Naval ships have historically been referred to as, "She". A bit confusing when the ship is named after Ronald Reagan or Abraham Lincoln, but I'm willing to roll with it. Does anyone else feel differently?
Gender
Navy
Naval/Maritime History
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 69
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Get over the Politically Correct BS and carry on with tradition. If a term isn't / wasn't used in a particular context in an offensive manner, then it should be taken at face value and not out of context. Calling a ship 'she' was not intended to be derogatory or offensive - leave it alone.
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Keep the tradition. By the way, cheers to seeing some active Navy discussions lately!
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Keep it as such, damn the PC BS. When I think of a ship being called 'She', it takes me to this cliche 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', may whatever god have mercy on the soul who pisses off an Arleigh-Burke destroyer.
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"Unknowingly offensive" to refer to a ship as the fairer sex? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. But silly me....this *is* the United States.....SOMEbody SOMEwhere will manufacture a way to be offended by this. Sheesh.
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I am not so sure that changing the gender of a ship after she has nurtured us through storms and hard times is appropriate. I believe the tradition survives in many languages throughout the world. For instance, Mother Russia, Germany The Father Land.
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Another tempest in a teapot. How about we focus on things that really matter?
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Everyone needs to trying to be "PC". Its ridiculous Why are we so worried about offending someone, who cares they’ll get over it. Seriously how could be offended by a ship being named after a girl who cares!! you sound insane get over yourself. Shes probably just mad because shes there no bustle going on about her.
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No, people need to stop getting so butt hurt over every little thing. Political correctness will be the end of freedom and thought.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
very true, Cpl Fernandez, sadly it's already happening. It will be the dawn of over-thought. You'll have to rehearse saying good morning to people to make sure everything is said correctly,
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I appreciate your honesty PO2 Katie Benson. I'm curious as to what you might disagree with on this post and with CMC Robert Young's answer, and I mean that respectfully as a former SM. Sometimes a funny comment can be ill spoken or written and I like to learn from my mistakes and also hear everyone's opinion. Thanks.
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Cpl Brett Wagner
Referring to a ship as 'She" is offensive? The reason why ships are referred to as she is because, especially sailors, they are beautiful works of art. Ships are referred to as such because sailors care very much for their ship and desire to protect it. I'm not getting it sorry.
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CMC Robert Young
Sir, with regard to PO2 Benson's thumbs down, the PC generation isn't ever required to justify their opinions. All they need do is voice their side of the story and drive on. It takes waaaay too much effort to listen to somebody who doesn't agree with you.
There's a requirement to see somebody else's point of view. There is considering that all organizations are products of their history, traditions and individual development. In the military specifically, many people often forget that they joined us; we didn't join them. And then finally there's that whole thing about "What do you mean it's not about me?"
There's a requirement to see somebody else's point of view. There is considering that all organizations are products of their history, traditions and individual development. In the military specifically, many people often forget that they joined us; we didn't join them. And then finally there's that whole thing about "What do you mean it's not about me?"
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
Thank you MCPO Young! You are right on target. I don't take offense (sh!t, there's that word again) to a thumbs down, nor will I ever give one.
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PO1 (Join to see)
MCPO Robert Young, MAJ Robert Petrarca
Gentlemen - and for you Major, it's a loosely attached formality - let me add my .02.
PO2 Benson is entitled to her opinion - especially in view of the point penalty RP attaches to said vote (which I firmly am against penalizing people for a negative vote greater than someone agreeing with another). Personally, I don't know her reasons - nor does it matter in my mind. Her point is: she disagrees with keeping the "she" term being attached to ships and boats. It's her opinion and considering the cost in points to her I don't think she cares to explain any further.
I do NOT approve of the generalization of including PO2 Benson into the "PC generation" as the Master Chief has done - while she may well include herself into that generalization, we should not do her the dis-service of that categoriztion. She is fully and completely entitiled to her opinion - and she voiced it with her vote.
'Nuff said. Off soapbox.
Continue with the frivolity.
Gentlemen - and for you Major, it's a loosely attached formality - let me add my .02.
PO2 Benson is entitled to her opinion - especially in view of the point penalty RP attaches to said vote (which I firmly am against penalizing people for a negative vote greater than someone agreeing with another). Personally, I don't know her reasons - nor does it matter in my mind. Her point is: she disagrees with keeping the "she" term being attached to ships and boats. It's her opinion and considering the cost in points to her I don't think she cares to explain any further.
I do NOT approve of the generalization of including PO2 Benson into the "PC generation" as the Master Chief has done - while she may well include herself into that generalization, we should not do her the dis-service of that categoriztion. She is fully and completely entitiled to her opinion - and she voiced it with her vote.
'Nuff said. Off soapbox.
Continue with the frivolity.
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They have been referred to as she long before the US Navy and as early as the Phoenician maritime era. It's been adopted by several countries over time and shouldn't change because a handful of people might be offended.
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