You ever watch a canine, when its ears perk at a dog whistle being blown? It’s so curious to watch them respond to something that’s outside of most people’s range of hearing, but that dog hears it. I’ve always thought that those dogs looked uncomfortable, that the sound might hurt their ears a bit. And they respond to it, sometimes begrudgingly.
Dog whistling is also used in politics. Vox describes it as “political shorthand for a phrase that may sound innocuous to some people, but which also communicates something more insidious either to a subset of the audience or outside of the audience’s conscious awareness — a covert appeal to some noxious set of views.” https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/the-big-idea/2016/11/7/13549154/dog-whistles-campaign-racism
When I was in a relationship with a sociopathic covert malignant narcissist, one of his tricks was to “dog whistle”. It was never his intent to make Luna or Porter or even little Jake uncomfortable. No, this whistle was meant for me.
Now when most people think of a man whistling at a woman, they think of a cat call. Weet, woo! That musical slide that means ‘sexy lady’. While this might seem annoying or crass to some women, it is nothing compared to the insidious psychological damage that is intended by a dog whistle.
A dog whistle is an insult that is built upon shame or remorse or guilt that the person it is designed for shared in a moment of vulnerability. It can also be based on a perceived imperfection. The person doing the dog whistling will loop a reference to the imperfection into general conversation, often in a group setting, in an effort to elicit an emotional response from the victim. The victim, responding to the attacker will appear to others to have rage that generates from nothing and out of context, creating an illusion of emotional instability. Its purpose is to tear apart a mind, to crush a heart, to break a spirit. It’s used repeatedly to reinforce a delusion of superiority.
It’s an act of pure cowardice.
While I have long since scrubbed the stain of that piece of filth from my life (Sterile Cheryl recommends Fels-Naptha), the gift I received of recognizing this behavior has proven to be quite valuable, and it has helped me navigate some hair of the dog situations that could have otherwise ended up like so much shit in a sack. When someone attempts such a needle, I now respond with one of a few ways- the first, and most petty, is a condescending “do you need a hug?” And the second is a head cock to one side, eyebrow raised gaze of confusion. “Why, what ever do you mean by that?”
A person of courage will speak plainly and openly. And to that I say…some lions will never find “the nerve”.
So here is plainly speaking, so as to not be misconstrued by anyone.
“I’ll explain and use small words so that you’ll be sure to understand, you warthog-faced buffoon.” -Westley
I’m overjoyed he went to jail. Ecstatic, really. Every day he was behind bars was one of extreme pleasure and delight for me. I finally felt as though Justice was having her way with him. For these past five months, I’ve even eaten some meat. He was let out recently, though. Charges dropped. I feel as though Justice was cheated once again, and meat smells of death. It makes me wonder… Did she get to tie him to the ottoman and stuff things up inside of his orifices until he screamed into the gag he was bound with? Did she drug him? Did she rape him repeatedly? Did she steal from him? Spread lies about him? Did she cheat on him and parade the cheatees around in front of him? Did she strangle him until he lost consciousness, and by doing so permanently damage his larynx? Did she use martial arts, or in what has been lovingly referred to as a McDojo, as a cover to beat and bruise his body? Did she make sex tapes of him and share them with his family and friends and strangers alike? Did she alienate his family by posing as him online and posting and messaging under his name? Did she ruin or impair every important relationship he had? No? Then the debt has not been paid. Justice has not had her fill.
Not even close. She’s still quite ravenous.
So, when he hears a whistle, I hope he remembers this. And remembers me. That I have not forgotten. And that someday, when he hears that whistle, it may just be yours truly blowing through these perfect, soft, full lips.
“I drank some boiling water, because I wanted to whistle”. Mitch Hedberg
“If you want me, just whistle. You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow.” Lauren Bacall
“I know of witches who whistle at different pitches, calling things that don’t have names.” Helen Oyeyemi
“Give a little whistle, and always let your conscience be your guide.” Jiminy Cricket
A Walk In Neverland 