Bad Word Bitch Essay

When we insult someone, the intention is to pick out something that is different about them that can be perceived as negative. We find an insecurity or trigger and use that as an advantage to win arguments or make points. When we “call out” someone 's behavior, we use words that have negative connotations to share our feelings and shape others ' perceptions. While this type of communication is sometimes essential in the world of persuasion, it becomes strictly destructive when the difference or insecurity at play is a person 's gender. Bitch is not a “bad word” because it 's meant to offend; it 's bad because it turns the word woman into an insult. Identity based insults are often the most powerful because they are the most personal. The words that make us cringe are worthy of the reaction because they directly attack a person and their belief system, gender, race, or sexuality. Some of these words are so powerful that they don 't even feel okay to discuss. Some are so powerful that …show more content…
Men who are passive or compliant are labeled bitches because they are not playing the role men are expected to. They are being told they are acting like women, which is bad because being a woman is bad. Additionally, this often harmfully leads to an implication of transsexuality, homosexuality, or asexuality. A silly (but justified) example of this is clear in online discussions of Twilight. Edward, the quiet, sparkly vampire, is referred to as a bitch countless times. One occurrence of this is in a list titled “Characters We 'd Like To Punch,” where the name-calling is justified by reminding us that his girlfriend cheated on hm. While there are many true and insulting critiques we can give this character, “bitch” should not be one of them. Instead of calling Edward controlling or misogynistic, the focus is on the fact that he was vulnerable enough to have a partner cheat on him, which leads him to be labeled as