I really like this book because its edgy but sometimes it takes it a little to far talking about "Tits and Twat" anyone have an opinion?
In the book, they are extremely comfortable with using such words in which our society tends to view as derogatory But how different is it whne we talk about penises and assholes? I like how they have that edgy touch to the book, it's more realistic.
I see your point and that does make sense; why can we feel comfortable talking about male genitalia, but not women's? Well I don't know about the rest of the world, and I guess why they feel differently about that is because of how society views the difference between men and women. But personally, I don't talk like that with male or female body parts, and maybe that's just me, but I view it as the same thing.
Okay, so the language makes us squirm a bit. But I want y'all to ask yourself why do you think that they've chosen this in-your-face tactic to make thier point? Strategically, what is to be gained from it? And how might it be connected to what we've been learning about gender socialization--why does it seem so wrong when women use these words to talk about themselves?
I understand that these women are really proud of their womenhood and are not afraid to show it. I understand they are extremely confident and comfortable with their womenhood as well. I know they used these words to get the reader's attention. I don't think its wrong for women to use these words. I think its wrong for anyone to use these words. To me, words like cunt, tits, and twat are derogatory towards women.
I think that the words really do grab our attention, but in some aspects, I think that they come on too strong in their tactics. I understand the approach that they strive for; to take back words that are derogatory towards women. But the thing is, even if we use them in a positive form today, the majority of people on the street still associate these words with being derogatory. And also, there are derogatory terms geared towards men; what about the word b-stard, yes, it once meant an illegitimate son, but the term today is viewed very differently. I don't think that using words that people find abusive, and trying to make them positive is going to gain all of the positive feed-back that the theory generates. Too many people are thrown off by others using words popularly viewed as "bad".
maybe Im being "old fashioned" or maybe Im just not thinking from a feminist perspective? Im not sure.
These are powerful words in our society—they are derogatory and mean and offensive. But feminists, especially young feminists, have started wondering what purpose these words serve, and have come up with some interesting ideas.
When a man calls a woman a ‘whore’ or ‘slut’, what is really going on underneath the meaning of the word? Well, a woman’s sexuality is being used against her—even if she’s not sexually active, calling her a ‘whore’ implies that she is. Indeed it suggests that she is too sexual and that is somehow bad and/or wrong. Do we have a similar word for men?
The same goes with the word ‘bitch’. Women who aren’t being nice, good, sweet, compliant, etc. are often called a bitch or are being bitchy. Feminists are starting to wonder about the power this word has to get women back in line. “Don’t be such a bitch” is a powerful way of censuring a woman and reminding her to be good, nice, sweet, compliant, etc. And in a society that is constantly reminding women to be quiet/submissive/meek/good, this is a subtly but powerful technique. Again, do we have such a word for men?
So yes, it comes as a real shock to hear/read words like ‘cunt’ used by women. Why is calling someone a ‘cunt’ the ultimate in derogatory language, whereas saying something ‘takes balls’ is considered a compliment? We all recognize that these are powerful words in our society—it’s frustrating that the power they have is used to keep women down. So while it is unnerving to see this language being used so freely, the point is to take some of the sting out of the words. So that the next time someone calls you a bitch, you can turn around and say thanks. And really mean it.
OK I think I understand now and you did a great job of explaining it. However, to millions of people who aren't that familiar with feminists theories, I don't think they would realize that they are trying to take the sting out of words like that. I just thought the book was being hypocritical because you would think feminists wouldn't want words like that to be used anymore. That definetly clarifies it though.
I think it can be a little . . . distasteful? at times. Its what makes some people dislike feminist because of how rudely open they can be. I think its great that they can be open, but sometimes they are crossing the line a little.
I agree, some things that they talk about in the book are pretty interesting, however, a lot of the articles do take it too far in my opinion. Some people might argue that it's society's fault that we don't want to talk about the things they mention in the BUST book, claiming that society's made women feel like their sexual desires are dirty and should not be talked about. But in my opinion, I don't think guys should talk about it either, I think a lot of the things they talk about are personnal, not to be viewed as disgusting or what not, but not things that are the publics business.
Agreed. Ironically, a lot of the "lingo" such as the "C" word, which is probably the third most commonly used word in the entire book and also highly regarded as repulsive by most women. I think being comfortable with yourself is one thing, but trying to prove your point by being so liberal and distasteful is another thing.
