LETTER: TLS with a Block of Emily Dickinson Stamps autographed by Sontag, to Mr. Goldblatt, December 3, 1978.
Sontag, Susan. Typed letter signed in full, "Susan Sontag", with a Block of Emily Dickinson Stamps Autographed by Sontag. [New York, N.Y.]: To Mr. Goldblatt, December 3, 1978; single sheet: 8-1/2 x 11"; white typing paper; folded twice to fit an envelope; in which she discusses the use of language prejudicial to women.
The writer acknowledges a request from Mr. Goldblatt that she autograph a block of Emily Dickinson 8 cent stamps for his collection. As flattered as she may be by the compliment implied by the association, Sontag goes on to say:
May I register a strenuous objection to the title you have given this collection. If you ask me to participate, I think you should call it 'Men and Women of the Century.' You have put the word 'woman' as an after thought. The word 'men' does not [underlined] include women, though men like to insist that it does. I believe that you could immediately strike a blow for human dignity as well as pass on an important lesson to your son, if you could change the title. Your avowed aim in creating this collection is to help your son 'gain a better understanding of and compassion for all mankind'. One of the principal ills of humankind is the subordination of women. We are fortunate to live in era where this is beginning to change. But the old habits and prejudices, which render women culturally invisible, are embedded in language itself. An example of this is the use of the word 'man' to include women. You would think it odd if the word 'woman' were used to include men, I am sure.
The block of stamps includes 10 Emily Dickinson stamps with a blank margin at the lower edge. The writer has signed her name in bold black ink across the second row of stamps and in the lower margin penned "Women of the Century." Sontag echoes concerns here raised by Adrienne Rich and other feminists that in many subtle ways language so reflected custom and use that, in essence, a new language had to be formulated to break up the prejudices toward women. Excellent content.
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