*possibly controversial or offensive content, encouraging alternative viewpoints* So, before getting into this I just want to clarify that I believe words are powerful and that I write this with good intentions. I understand that in particular contexts and with particular intentions the use of some words might be more or less tolerated, and thus there is likely some level of flexibility when it comes to using words. And with that, here is my beef with SlutWalks. I understand the dilemma as much as a male who respects the livelihood and well-being of people can understand it (I think). I think people should be allowed to wear or not wear what they like so long as it isnt severely offending the people youre around .. which seems like a pretty simple and flexible guideline to follow. I also think that somebodys preferred dress shouldnt be factored as a cause of rape, thats just absurd. What gets me, though, is the use of the word slut to characterize the empowerment movement. Words may be inert but weve created meanings and contexts for them and they tend to stick around a while. Cultural variations and adaptations happen all the time, so I get that definitions can change, but to me it seems backwards to try to reclaim a historically derogatory word as a word of pride rather than .. I dont know .. using or creating a different word? Like, what if the African-American Civil Rights Movement was called the Rights for Niggers Movement? It just doesnt make sense to me to use derogatory words as words of pride, whether youve garnered some sense of ownership or reclamation of the word or not. Maybe there is some philosophical viewpoint Im missing that would put it into perspective for me. Maybe Im over analyzing.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 04:50:27 +0000
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