History of Feminism
In reply to the discussion: (HOF THREAD!) SO is the word "BITCH" still acceptable on DU... [View all]BainsBane
(55,523 posts)and they told me, I would say "I'm sorry I offended you," and not use the word again in their presence. I certainly wouldn't then go into their house and proceed to tell them they have no right to be offended by a slur that I felt entitled to use because the only reason to continue using it would be to deliberately cause offense. Speaking my mind doesn't depend on denigrating someone's gender, race, sexuality, etc.. ; I have little doubt that it does for some people.
Words have precise meanings. It's useful to consult a dictionary when in doubt. When someone calls a woman a "bitch," they communicate that they see her as less than human, akin to a female dog. The purpose of language is to communicate. People who use gendered slurs and then insist they don't mean what the dictionary says, what everyone knows they mean, and then insist on using them anyway, communicate quite clearly how they see women.
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