tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post6527885459998240447..comments2022-10-28T01:10:08.616-07:00Comments on From the Mind of Suzi: Bitchin' PostSuzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-49887166256431651442010-07-29T13:00:13.382-07:002010-07-29T13:00:13.382-07:00All good points, Suzy. The whole notion and usage ...All good points, Suzy. The whole notion and usage of "bitch" is really quite striking, and I can't help but ponder the absence of a male equivalent (derogatory characterizations of men never seem to have quite the same force or implication). But then that's hardly coincidental. "Bitch" is a label made by men, is advantageous to men, and reminds us that we are still living in a man's world. Even women who bandy the term about are using it in a power structure that caters to the male definitions of what a woman should be—her role in society, her role in the family, her role in the economy, etc. I feel like “bitch” is a specifically-defined social space, into which a woman is unwillingly deposited, and once there she finds herself acting out lines in a play that she herself did not author. Too often women seem to be stripped of their agency, where their “choices” aren’t really choices at all, as if no one ever thought to ask her: “what do you want out of your life?” Being inconsiderate, brash and non-empathetic is considered beneficial in the business world; this is where the double standard comes in, because a man won’t be disparagingly labelled for such behaviour (he’ll get a corner office.) The woman in this scenario may still get the corner office, but it comes at a price (…“what a bitch”…). The truth is that this sort of behaviour should be condemned if perpetrated by EITHER sex. Human beings shouldn’t be malicious toward other human beings. Full stop. If your only choice as a woman is to be “docile and servile” or “powerful and bitchy” (once again conforming to narratives that have been written by others), then this is really no choice at all. Being caring, not looking to hurt other people, perhaps being more of a quiet soul—there’s nothing wrong with that, be you man or woman. Being aggressive, independent, perhaps the ‘take charge’ kind of person—there’s nothing wrong with that, be you man or woman. I’m just sick of the double standard, that’s all.Jarednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-44381472978836302832010-07-22T21:12:47.805-07:002010-07-22T21:12:47.805-07:00What a great piece Suzy and thank you for standing...What a great piece Suzy and thank you for standing up and saying what a lot of us feel. You are the strong woman!Kate Bondnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-52646833230131947772010-07-22T08:25:02.015-07:002010-07-22T08:25:02.015-07:00I always enjoy reading your posts! Especially love...I always enjoy reading your posts! Especially loved this one! You truly are a brilliant writer!Aislinn Craycroftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-84320907000390427952010-07-21T22:01:41.209-07:002010-07-21T22:01:41.209-07:00I said it already but I'll say it again. This ...I said it already but I'll say it again. This post hit close to home and I totally appreciated it. Thanks for saying what a lot of us think!christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18443924570886004964noreply@blogger.com