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Last winter I went to a book tour talk of Brene Brown. She is an amazing writer about real human condition and things we all suffer from.

One thing I remember distinctly said was that she loves a good cuss word but refuses to use the term 'bitch' as it is the term most women hear before being assaulted by a man. That it is never just about letting go steam, or making a statement, that it is angry and angry toward women. I don't exactly remember the verbatim words but something like this.

Today I read this term in a post on this site in reference to the women who are feminist/liberal/or just standing up for themselves when it comes to some generalizations. Why is this a thing? Why do you choose to use the term bitch if you do?

I think we as adults can come up with better ways to disagree without going down the ladder of insults. How is it okay to say this about others here and feel justified?

Fear, it boils down to fear. Are we afraid to be with others that we don't agree with?

:"When we engage in dehumanizing rhetoric or promote dehumanizing images, we diminish our own humanity in the process. When we reduce Muslim people to terrorists or Mexicans to “illegals” or police officers to pigs, it says nothing at all about the people we’re attacking. It does, however, say volumes about who we are and the degree to which we’re operating in our integrity."
Brene Brown

Akfishlady 8 May 4
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12 comments

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0

That last paragraph in your post is my answer. The people that resort to "bitch" do not have integrity. PERIOD.

1

Love Brene' Brown's TED Talk on "The Power of Vulnerability."

[ted.com]

1

I have never called a woman that to her face; not that or the "c" word. I have, admittedly, used it to describe women I felt were especially obnoxious (ala Ann Coulter, e.g.). I use it far less often than I use the term "asshole" to describe men about whom I feel the same way (Rush Limbaugh, e.g.).

That said, I appreciate your point and will be more conscious of the term in the future. Women can be assholes too, I suppose, just as I can.

1

I’ve been pondering this for the last hour, and one thing I should say is that I agree with you more than I disagree.

Calling a woman by that term is crass, low brow, and not a particularly clever use of the word. It’s not something I would do, and it’s a good way to lose an argument.

Dehumanization, in any form, is not a good thing. It’s what makes genocide possible and war easy.

0

Bitch is a word that I refuse to use when describing something negative. Another word I won't use is pussy when referring to a womans vagina, it's is repulsive and especially repulsive when used to describe someone as pussy whipped or don't be a pussy. But my all time pet peeve word is cunt. It inspires me to violent acts when I hear it. Thoughts anyone?

0

Feminists struggle hard to overcome patriarchy misogyny theocracy AND MALE ENTITLEMENT VIOLENT BIGOTS raping children and women with many such words dripping snarling from their scum lips.....nonetheless female enemies of women include Phyllis Schafly clones and the top of the list enemy of science Atheists and 911 widows Ann Coulter who I always call a " C U N T " worse than Hitler she (allegedly is female) "her" words are actually far worse than vile and incompetent. ...she is the champion of creationism, theocracy, genocidal polluter oil war crime profiteering and pure racist motive to build TrumpOLINIs "wall"

@Akfishlady fighting fire with water is fine with a tanker truck but every forest fire fighter knows lines must be drawn and biggest fires must be fought with more fire back to save the greater forest across the line

3

Great post. Brene Brown is my social work sister! I love her books and she gave me a new appreciation for Teddy Roosevelt. As far as the word "bitch." I have told my kids since they were little that they will never be able to control the stupid shit that comes out of people's mouths. We can control our response to it, however.

0

I respectfully disagree with a few things you said. Mostly the second paragraph.

I have used the word “bitch” thousands of times in my life and it’s been for a variety of reasons, the least of which is anger towards women. Like all words, It can be an incredible tool for making a statement when used the right way. Why do I choose to use the term you ask? Because when I do, there is no other word that is better suited for conveying an idea and emotion I’m trying to communicate at the moment.

1

Good post. I do my best to never use this word too. To me the 'B' word is as bad as the 'N' word for exactly the reasons given in your post.

3

I doubt you'll get a straight answer, if at all, from whoever said it.

@Akfishlady Here's hoping.

1

I'm proud of the fact I've never called a woman a bitch, or any derogatory name. I have great respect for women. My dad always showed respect towards my mom, and I guess it rubbed off on me. With that said, I rarely call anyone a derogatory term, but I will make an exception when it comes to our current Nazi in chief.

0

Using vulgar and dehumanizing language about another really does NOT tell us anything about the person you are attempting to describe.
Your words tell us about YOU.

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