Comments on: Putting the Sluts and Whores to Rest

By: NinaG

NinaG — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:22:12 +0000

Great article. I’m trying to be more mindful about the language I use, as a progressive woman of color beginning to realize the power of my written/spoken voice.

By: Aura

Aura — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:13:32 +0000

Amen! These words need to be put to rest and ONLY used in context. And even if the person is acting in a promiscuous manner. Wouldn’t it be better to address the issue then resolve to name-calling?

By: OneChele

OneChele — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:47:12 +0000

We had an interesting discussion about this over at AverageBro.com, check it out when you get a second: http://www.averagebro.com/2009/06/has-n-word-lost-all-its-power.html

By: Cdubb

Cdubb — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:23:20 +0000

I have never understood the concept of reclaiming words and symbols (ie confederate flag…another discussion for another time.) It just doesn’t make sense to me.

Just because you say, “OK I am gonna use ___ but its not gonna mean the same b/c I am saying it” doesn’t make Webster change his definition nor does it make the history of the word go away. The meaning of the word stays the same, that’s the reality. To say it with a cutesy smile or giggle doesn’t change anything. To think otherwise is to be in denial. Sugar-coated poison will still kill you.

By: JWGelsey

JWGelsey — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:08:12 +0000

I have friends I use these words with and it’s not insulting. These words should only be used with women you have a personal closeness and understanding with. Some women are insulted with just plain language that tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about any subject, no name calling included.

By: Betty Chambers

Betty Chambers — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:26:58 +0000

I think I was taken aback that Jesse didn’t have any male friends or relatives willing to beat the snot out of her ex-boyfriend for even thinking of putting her picture out for public consumption. My how things have changed.

There’s no female empowerment in letting oneself be sexually exploited. People continue to sell girls this crock of b.s. and the repercussions are devastating.

Friends don’t call friends profane names. Not even in jest.

By: iolastar

iolastar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:21:04 +0000

Great story. We use many words out of context. There are efforts to end the term “wife beater” when referring to the white tank that men wear and saying the phrase “that’s so gay.” You have a lot of black folks that use the N-word and many of us say it’s unacceptable if a white person calls us that, but it’s ok for us to call each other that? Words are powerful, so powerful that people lose their lives Jesse Logan, Joseph Walker-Hoover, Jaheem Herrea are prime examples.

We must be cognizant of the words we use because you never know how a person may react.

By: Laquita

Laquita — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:40:29 +0000

Great article.

By: Whitney

Whitney — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:19:37 +0000

I think the use of any of these words, especially when attempting to “reclaim” these words as descriptors of yourself or sisters is shameful. Why do we have to choose those words as words, out of all the words that already exists and for all the words that we could make up, do we choose these vulgar and disrespectful phrases to that define us? I personally, step away from women who choose to use these words as a part of their daily vocabulary. To me, these are fighting words. Words that are used in a lving way, but always carry a punch or at least a sting, whenever its rolled off someone’s tongue. In many ways, we, specifically women of color have to be sensitive to the cultural and societal impressions of our actions and our speech. I think what’s important to note is that women are still at a very young and vulnerable state in defining who we are as a collective. I believe the adoption of these words as meanings that women identify with, is dangerous, even if it is interpreted differently from the people who frequent these words.

By: Clnmike

Clnmike — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:38:13 +0000

Very interesting, around my way the working class women use the B and H with each other all the time, (never heard any women use whore or slut, but funny enough we men call each other that the moment we see each other talking to a new woman).

I think of it as being the same as using the N word, amoung a lot of blacks it is acceptable, but only by blacks, so B and H depending n how it is used is not a bad thing amoung women if you talk that way.

Now when men are around that should be a different story.