Like “gay,” “hussy,” “spinster,” and countless other words, the “b” word’s meaning has morphed over time from something mundane to a way to denigrate and marginalize people, namely women.
By all accounts, the word “b!+@#” should be used to describe a mating female dog. As far back as the 15th century, however, “b!+@#” has often been used to label women who dare to exude confidence, competency and strength in a male-dominated world. Those who spew the “b” word in a derogatory manner tend to avoid attempts at rationale discourse. Their approach is to mask their own inadequacies and ignorance by trying to humiliate the very woman (or women) who has threatened their false sense of superiority.
“Who you calling a b!+@#?”
That’s what we really wanted New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to say in response to a male colleague when he called her a “f##king bitch” outside the U.S. Capitol. Apparently he didn’t like what the congresswoman had to say about crime and poverty. Disturbed that she would dismiss him and take the high road after he called her “disgusting,” ol’ dude reached into his grimy chauvinistic tool bag and fired the ultimate weapon as Ocasio-Cortez had already turned to walk away – “f##king bitch.” Yep, those are his exact words.
Ocasio-Cortez used the insult as the basis for a solid speech that checked this fella to the point that he will now be relegated to the “hall of shame” for men whose abuse of power sets them back a few steps.
“I could not allow my nieces, I could not allow the little girls I go home to, I could not allow victims of verbal abuse and worse……..” she said. “I could not allow that to stand.”
Kudos to Ocasio-Cortez for using the platform with which she has been blessed to take a stand for not just women of color, but for all women who have been viciously labeled and attacked in the misogynistic sectors of society. Change is definitely on the horizon.
At the same time though, don’t be fooled by the array of female entertainers like Megan Thee Stallion who have seemingly embraced the “b” word in an empowering manner. Their vulnerability is masked by a tough exterior that makes them seem unbothered. Surprise, surprise…these women have feelings too.
“Black women are so unprotected & we hold so many things in to protect the feelings of others w/o considering our own. … I’m real life hurt and traumatized,” Stallion tweeted in response to a string of social media jokes and ridicule related to an incident where she was shot in the foot and injured.
“Who you calling a b!+@#?”
It would be nice if the “b” word would just altogether disappear. A nice consolation prize would be for the word to either evolve into a broader, more positive connation or revert back to its original roots. Either way, it’s time to stop disrespecting strong women with a word that is so vile and toxic. Most of the insulters don’t even have enough courage and nerve to say it to the woman’s face.
‘Nuff said.
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