"I hope someday I can fly a kite like a girl. And do kung fu like a girl. And draw like a girl. And you know what? I wish I could cry like a girl. You get it all out, and then you look for the next thing, bouncing back with amazing speed. You don’t do like me, hold it inside as long as possible, letting it fester, bringing me down for days. You are not bitter.
So they hate you. But fuck ‘em. Because you are a force of nature, a powerhouse of emotion and talent and stubbornness and potential.
You’re worth a billion of them." ~ Mur Lafferty, "Dear Daughter" (via The Hairpin)
Can I please get a "FUCK YEAH!"?
For some reason the topic of feminized swearing was something I was thinking about as I walked to work today. The ways people (including, I'm ashamed to admit, myself occasionally) will use to sexist and/or homophobic slurs without evening thinking about it. Fag. Sissy. Bitch. Cocksucker. Pussy. Gay.
People who would never even think of using racist terms to refer to anyone.
In addition to any/all derogatory references to body shape or weight (seriously, why should any child need to know the word "fat" outside of what we use for cooking?), I think it's important to teach all kids that these expressions are hugely inappropriate.
And the best way to teach is by example.
This post is a good reminder about the issue about swearing. I read your post just before lunch hour last week sometime, and then went out for a one-hour walk with a friend. I am a nerd, and monitored how often I used any of the words you mention above. I hate to admit it, but I used bitch at least twice and cocksucker at least once. In a one hour period. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI think I might have to now resort to religious slurs like 'holy hell', 'sweet Jesus' or 'Jesus God'.
Oh and - motherfucker. We should probably add motherfucker to your list as well. Especially with Mother's Day coming up and all.
The problem is that those words sound so great. They just roll off the tongue. But ya, I'm currently trying to cultivate a list of effective yet only mildly-offensive swear words. Asshole and fucker are always solid options. My brother pointed out that telling rude people to "go fuck themselves" is nicely non-sterotyping.
DeleteAnd yes, I am aware of the irony...