It's Only Words

All right, so I read a tweet from this activist and curious, I followed the link:

http://emilylhauserinmyhead.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/the-daily-barrage-of-insults/

I do not always claim to be right. I most usually try not to offend. She made some valid points, but when I tried to start a discussion, she began at snarky and quickly slid right into intolerant and narrow-minded, which I suppose I should have expected from an activist. I should have known better.

Here's part of the last comment I made:

"I think calm, rational discussion is necessary and healthy."


Then she banned me, and you irony fans might get a kick out of the "Stop Censorship" banner on the upper right of her page.



Yep, I could see how women might get offended at the words "bitch" and "pussy". I am not oblivious. But really? To get so upset you bang your head on the desk and want everyone to change the way they speak? How about not allowing people like that into your world and raising your children not to use the words instead of demanding the world conform to your way of thinking?

Nah. Too simple I suppose. Let's take a look at some choice words.

Pussy


Bitch


Dick


Prick


Macho Asshole


Cunt


Dickwad

Ofensive? To some folks, sure, and to a whole bunch more folks when used as insults. But you know what? If you read the list you'll notice it's not just women who have to put up with the epithets, but guys too. Does our activist consider that? Nope. It's all about the girls.

I get that. I've been all about girls for years now.

Where I got a little miffed was when I saw yet another "oppressed" group was going to start whining about getting their feelings hurt. Really? Women oppressed? I don't know about you, but all the women in my life are some of the most powerful people I know. Strong, intelligent and quite able to tell me when I get too mouthy and offend them. Great! See how easy that was, and they didn't need an activist forming a coalition to storm the internet and dictionary authors and word police to let me know. I got it the first time.

Moms with daughters? Here's what ya do: "Sweetie, I'm so sorry that bully called you a bitch, but you are much more powerful than a simple word and you know you are loved. Now go kick that prick's ass!"

I have watched our right to say what we want erode over the years and I am getting pretty tired of it. I believe anyone has the right to protest, and certainly racial and sexual slurs are unwelcome and wrong. But we all have the right to say them, because for now this is still a free country. You may not like what is said, that's your privilege and right, just as it is my privilege and right to say it.

You also have the right to not listen, because for now this is still a free country. Narrow-mindedness and intolerance on either side is wrong. Sorry about not being very funny today. For the lighter side of this issue, go visit my buddy Suzy.

http://wherehotcomestodie.blogspot.com/


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