Twisty’s post today was oddly connected in the same idea when she wrote, “The designers of the kitten cover, both women, defended their stupidity with some asinine bullshit about “re-appropriating” degrading stereotypes.”
I followed Twisty’s link and read this “But we honestly believe you can change connotations by re-appropriating them (especially with humor). That’s why it’s OK for Spike Lee to make a movie about minstrel shows but it would not be OK if Woody Allen did. Mel Brooks can get away for Springtime for Hitler, but Prussian Blue can’t … context is everything.”
So here’s the new question: Does embracing a derogatory label ever re-appropriate it’s connotation or does it help perpetuate it’s offensive use?
Should we embrace “Bitch”?
9 comments:
Helps perpetuate its use, offensive or not.
How are we supposed to know if others will interpret something as offensive? It makes no sense to me for someone to say "another African-American can call me a 'nigga', but a white person can't"..."some friends can call me a bitch, but if others do I will be pissed, and god forbid if a man does".
Embracing a derogatory label in an attempt to change its meaning doesn't erase its history. It just confuses society and prevents us from one day living in a world that no longer has a need for such labels.
With that said, damn Jenny, stop being such a bitch!
I think I agree based on my thinking about the N-word.
While we must never forget that those prejudices existed we can abolish the use of derogatory words. Can we remember the idea without the label?
I'm just catching up with your previous post and comments.
With reference to your first post, I do agree that there's a double standard with respect to what men and women can get away with in a similar context. A male boss might be considered "aggressive" (which is a term of strength but not evoking emotions) but a female boss might be called a "bitch." A man who asks for a raise might be considered to be looking out for his family, but a woman is being too aggressive.
That said, I like to think this all is changing, that women are more and more able to speak their minds without shame or retribution.
I personally don't relish the use of derogatory labels. It is kind of like the "N word" discussion -- even if you view the label as a badge of honor, others are likely to misunderstand. Plus I think many of the terms you used in your original post have a negative connotation -- an overly emotional one -- when I think other terms might convey more correctly the strength and pride you are looking for. Strong, self-confident, honest, etc.
Thank you for posting this -- it evokes a lot of responses, true, but I think it's because this is an important discussion to have.
Excellent comment Nancy.
There are so many roads to explore when discussing one's Liberty. I liked this one because I know stay at home moms who in my mind are liberated and I know women who work that aren't at all.
So I am trying to define it, for myself, my community and probbly most importantly my daughter.
I think the best thing we can do to help move liberation forward is to understand, as females, our own strengths and weaknesses. I saw a VERY interesting program on Discovery about a year ago that took the battle of the sexes to a scientific level. It showed distinct differences between male and female. For instance where men have a much better natural sense of direction, women are much better at multi-tasking, etc.
Sometimes I worry that in our fight to be considered equal we forget that we are wonderful, beautiful, unique creatures much different than males but no less. As long as we help even the youngest of our sisters understand that they need no one to do anything for them, that they can be and do whatever they set their will to and teach them compassion and understanding there's no freedom that can be kept from them - or us.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitch
Guys do find the breed of NICE Bitches rather attractive. The girl that can stand on her two feet or foot but walks with an air of high emotional/mental aptitude. Yet, with such a pedigree, we men tend to feel a tad dejected and fearful hence in great maturity we call these girls bitches and sooth our ever bulging and erect ego. Heh.
Yellow_Monsta - that was positively poetic. We should put that in a Valentines Day Card entitled "You're a Nice Bitch"
;)
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