OK, let's talk about why c**t is such a lousy word to use

[cali]

The only times I've ever been called that were when an ex hit me or when he was verbally abusing me. And my experience is hardly singular. And it was scary, gents, really scary.

C**t is an angry and violent word. There's just no two ways around it. Don't give me that bawdy old English line. It's used to demean and to trash in a way that no other word I know of is.

(I also want to point out that the history of the words for female genitalia are tied to weakness whereas the slang for male genitalia is tied to strength and virility. Calling a man a "cocksman" a hundred years ago was more complement than insult.)



*This OP is dedicated to Marrah, who reminded me of the violence that so often attends the C word.

[helderheid]

1. Rec 1, Cali

[pnwmom]

30. And a rec from me, too. I strongly agree!

Whenever that word is used against one woman, it is a slam against all.

[hedgehog]

2. May I say that while I have very rarely used the term "bitch" to

describe someone who is very nasty toward other people, I have NEVER used the "C" word.

[Cooley Hurd]

3. Who has used it here?

AFAIK, that word was (rightfully) BANNED long ago from DU. Whomever is using it in ANY context now should also be banned from DU.:thumbsdown:

[cali]

5. It's been used a couple of times

most notably (at least to me) yesterday in post defending its use in regard to Hillary.

[Cooley Hurd]

9. There's NO acceptable use of the word...

...and anyone tossing that word out should also be tossed out on their ass.:thumbsdown:

Christ...:grr:

[Milo_Bloom]

25. Sure there is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=monyiOsoKxg

[bunkerbuster1]

52. I've used it to describe posters to the "site that dare not speak its name"

But only because it conveniently starts with "Cu.."

Otherwise, I'll never use it. (And I get a lot of lip for using it in the aforementioned context, so I don't bother any more.)

[Orsino]

111. It's offensive to many, but there are rules that allow for its use.

Generally, that's limited to women, or to people trying to lampoon/decry its stupidity/brutality--as with ethnic slurs.

[pnwmom]

29. Probably hundreds of times, actually. It gets quickly deleted by the mods. nt

[Catherine Vincent]

92. It was used a few minutes ago on another thread.

The mods deleted it. Oh, and it was an Obama supporter.

[terrya]

4. Recommed number 2

It's an ugly, demeaning word.

[Whisp]

18. like someone pointed out in another thead, it is equivalent to using the N word

it is meant to 'put you in your place' whether it's the color of your skin or your sexuality - used as power by the powerful that write the rules on who is 'acceptable' in the pecking order and who is not.

[Flabbergasted]

6. Looks like I was a dick. I apologize. nt

[cali]

8. Thanks.

I'm glad you're a big enough person to understand what I'm saying.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

16. bwaahahahahahahahaha !!

Thanks

[Flabbergasted]

32. I meant it. No hidden meanings.

I got to admit I hadn't looked at it in the way that was pointed out in my now locked thread.

[Marrah_G]

37. This woman says thank you Flabbergasted. n/t

[Whisp]

46. thanks, Flabber. ;)

glad you understand now.
language and hidden meanings and history is sometimes really tricky - sometimes actually meant to be so.

:toast:

[Flabbergasted]

49. Someone "educated my ass." : - )nt

[Bonobo]

27. Actually you were a schmuck.

Ooops, that means "dick" too.

And it also has nothing to do with power/virility and EVERYTHING to do with being stupid.


Like "thinking with your dick".
Having a "peeing contest"
"swinging dicks"
"testosterone-poisoning" (a reference to violence and aggression)

Natural male qualities are usually thought of as aggression and violence while women are thought of as kind and nurturing.

So if sex is a weapon...

well, it cuts both ways.

[Flabbergasted]

44. Perhaps I should just call myself an ass and get off the whole subject. ; - ) nt

[helderheid]

50. Thank you. n/t

ETA: I am a woman and that word is as offensive as the "N" word so thank you for realizing your mistake. It means a lot.

[Warren Stupidity]

7. Only in this section of the english speaking world.

Over in england it is quite common and equivalent to 'prick'. Sort of jarring the first time you hear it used in its milder form, but when you think about it, what is the big deal?


p.s. I am at a loss as to how this is actually relevant to GDP.

[cali]

11. well, this is where we live, not England

and aslong as people in GD-P are arguing that it's OK to use that word in regard to one of our candidates, it's relevant.

[Forkboy]

22. The movie Snatch had the one and only good use of it that I've heard.

Brick Top had a way with words. Of course, he was describing himself.

[BlueIdaho]

10. Amen Cali - sometimes words are more than "just words." nt.

[KoKo]

12. Why did I figure you'd get around to this, eventually......

:eyes:

[cali]

15. I haven't a clue

In fact I never have a clue about what you're meandering about.

[KoKo]

36. That's good to know, Cali...........really. n/t

[BlooInBloo]

13. Everybody knows it is - education isn't what's missing...

... What's missing is people's desire to not be assholes.

[Marrah_G]

14. Thank you Cali

Even bitch and whore are words of violence.

They almost always accompany violence against women. They are used to humiliate and to demean.

They are not innocent words.

I would gather that almost all women who are beaten to death hear one of these as the last sound they hear.... "fucking bitch, fucking whore, fucking cunt".

These words are the words that accompany rape as well both by strangers and by people they know.

These are words of violence.

They do not belong on these pages.

The women of DU should not have to see what we have seen the last two days.

Words MATTER.

Thank you Cali, for posting this, from the bottom of my heart.

[cali]

19. You say it much better than I do Marrah

and you're the one who brought it into focus.

[undeterred]

17. We don't even need to talk about this.

Its hate speech against women.

[dogday]

20. I hit the recommend several time, but alas it only registered once

Can't say this enough and thanks very much for saying it... :thumbsup:

[anigbrowl]

21. Don't take this the wrong way

but I've seen a lot more posts over the last 48 hours from people complaining about or discussing the semantics of the word than I have ever seen from people using it as a pejorative. Alerting the insult posts and then letting them sink is probably more effective than having multiple discussions about it, for anyone who'd prefer not to see it floating across the screen.

I cuss plenty and make no apology for it, but I rarely use cusswords as insults, as in 'X is a _____!'. I prefer saying positive, affirming things that we can all be proud to say to our kids, such as 'grow a fucking spine, you pathetic sadass!', along with the occasional ironic witticism.

but I don't think it's appropriate to go tossing insult words around about either candidate, or for that matter even the Republicans. Every time I see someone writing 'repuke' I cringe, because it gives Republicans another excuse to say say Democrats have a potty mouthed middle school mindset. so what if the Republicans like to call us 'democreeps' or whatever - that is THEIR problem. It should not be ours. Kind of like the fact that torture is practised by many bad people around the world does not mean that torture should be US government policy, ever.

In closing, please try to NOT mention either candidate in this thread - because if you do, it just shows how badly you want to hitch a ride on an issue for cheap partisan gain, and I'll judge your future posts accordingly.

[Forkboy]

23. It's been one of those days here.

[KoKo]

39. Be sure to check out the new one.....the "HATE MEME" !

:eyes: It's the latest "hot new item" out on the shelves in GDP.

[Forkboy]

45. Everybody hates everybody.

Now, excuse me while I go listen to the new Hate Eternal CD. ;)

[Milo_Bloom]

24. In Context, it is actually quite a nice word

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=monyiOsoKxg

[cali]

26. Read Marrah's post in this thread

as she said, it's likely it's one of the last words that a woman who's beaten to death by her partner, ever hears.

[Milo_Bloom]

66. Watch the video

And realize that nearly ANY word said in anger can apply to that statement you made.

I don't have a problem with any word in the English language or any language for that matter... it is all about context.

[EffieBlack]

28. Thanks, Cali - what's really sad about this is

some people don't understand why that word is so painful and viscerally offensive also don't respect the fact that there are people who DO feel that way.

I don't know why it's so difficult for some folks to just recognize that certain words and comments hurt other people - whether they, themselves, react in that way - and that, out of just plain respect for others, if nothing else, they should refrain from using them. Instead, they want to argue that the word "really isn't that bad" or try to compare it to other words that no one seems to mind and tell us we need to just not be so sensitive. "Why can't you just lighten up and let it go?"

The real question is why can't these people "just let go" of their obsessive need to maintain the right to say certain things that hurt and demean others?

It reminds me of when folks ask, "Why is it that black people use the 'n-word' but I'm not allowed to say it." My reaction is "Why do you WANT to say it?"

[yellerpup]

31. C**t should not be a lousy word at all.

Cuneform writing using Delta shaped symbols (the shape of a woman's public patch) was invented shortly after the invention of agriculture, Women stayed home and raised crops and children while the men were still out hunting. So, after women invented agriculture (and plant based medicine), they needed a type of record keeping to keep track of who had how many bushels of grain in the communal silo. Each woman had a uniquely shaped stamp that they used on the clay tablets to keep score of how much grain went in and how much grain came out. As trade expanded the symbols evolved into a system of written communication. When men came home from the hunt and discovered that in their absence, the women had prospered beyond their wildest imagination (and were in control of all the wealth) they began trying to figure out how to take control of it for themselves. That began with defeating women. Since women had always relied on the hunters for protection, they didn't know how to war so they lost. The hunters coopted all treasure (food) and denigrated the creators of the society's wealth, thereby creating the war of the sexes which has never ended. Maybe that's a little too easy, but that's how i think of the C word. I know when it's used against me that it is meant only as the crudest and lowest of insults a woman can receive. That's the insulter's problem. There is nothing about a c**t to be ashamed of.

Edit to Add: Cune-form, means "c**t-shaped".

[Marrah_G]

34. That was a really excellent post. n/t

[yellerpup]

54. Thanks. n/t

I like history. :hi:

[cali]

38. Whether it should or shouldn't be is irrelevant. It is

a word that's NOW largely cloaked in hate and violence. And interesting as your observation is, I guarantee it would be cold comfort to you if you were being brutalized while being called a c**t.

[Marrah_G]

41. I think what she means is that it shouldn't be a bad word, but the actions that accompany it ....

....have made it a violent and demeaning word.

[yellerpup]

48. I share the experience and the pain.

I am not trying to minimalize it. Finding the origin of the word helped me to understand how it came out of someone else's fear. Of course a person knows when they are being insulted. You don't deserve to suffer for expressing your ideas. Name calling is the first resort of the ignorant.

[pnwmom]

33. And it is every bit as offensive as the N***r word, for

the same reasons -- its connection to violence and hatred.

[cbayer]

35. Thank you cali.

I heard someone use this word the other day in describing one of our candidates and I felt as if I had been slapped. I didn't care which candidate he supported, but the fact that he found it OK to use this particular word shocked me.

[cliffordu]

40. I thought you meant "Coulter"......silly me.

[JohnnyLib2]

42. Thanks for pointing this out so well.

Recommended.

As an older male with dorm, Army and various other exposure to "guy-talk,"
I see no excuses at all for the use of that term. "Used to demean and trash" is exactly on target.

[ZombieHorde]

43. "C**t is an angry and violent word."

I think that this may depend on the region of the U.S. you are in. I hear it sometimes where I live, but it is not usually used as an insult (though I did hear someone call HRC a cunt). It is often used to refer to a vagina here, such as; "Play with my cunt." I have heard my lover use the word "cuntalicious" before, but I think that she made that up.

The only times I've ever been called that were when an ex hit me or when he was verbally abusing me. And my experience is hardly singular. And it was scary, gents, really scary.

Sounds scary.

(I also want to point out that the history of the words for female genitalia are tied to weakness whereas the slang for male genitalia is tied to strength and virility. Calling a man a "cocksman" a hundred years ago was more complement than insult.)

"Prick" and "dick" are often used as insults as well.


Here is a book you may or may not be interested in:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580050751

[cali]

47. Yes, it can be used in intimate sexual

moments inoffensively and endearingly, but that doesn't negate the fact that it is frequently used to terrorize and in moments of violence.

[ZombieHorde]

55. "it is frequently used to terrorize and in moments of violence"

This has not happened to me or any of my friends (we are all DnD nerds of various sexes), but I have heard women at my old job and my current school tell horror stories like this.

Would the terrorizing and violence be any better if one was called "a disagreeable person"? I don't think that it would be. It seems to me that it is the terrorizing and violence that is horrible and frightening. Do you agree with this?

[cali]

56. words carry freight

as someone pointed out one of the primary reasons that the word n***er is so reprehensible is the weight of the violence and terror associated with it. I don't see this as terribly difficult to understand.

[ZombieHorde]

59. "don't see this as terribly difficult to understand."

I guess that I am slow in this matter because I have not heard it used the way you have, except in British punk rock songs and maybe some movie I forgot about. I don't think that the word has the same meaning where you live, that it does where I live.

that the word n***er is so reprehensible is the weight of the violence and terror associated with it

I have heard this word used in a reprehensible way in real life, unfortunately.

[Marrah_G]

57. I am glad you have never experienced it.

I would bet it has happened to some of your friends.... only they are to ashamed to say it.

"disagreeable person" just doesn't pack the same punch does it? It's like saying refering to someone as nigger is the same as referring to them as african american. Different word, different history, different meaning.

1 in 4 women are victims of domestic violence.

Please see below:

Prevalence of Domestic Violence

* In a 1995-1996 study conducted in the 50 States and the District of Columbia, nearly 25% of women and 7.6% of men were raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, or dating partner/acquaintance at some time in their lifetime (based on survey of 16,000 participants, equally male and female).

Patricia Tjaden & Nancy Thoennes, U.S. Dep't of Just., NCJ 181867, Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence, at iii (2000), available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/181867.htm

* Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States.

Patricia Tjaden & Nancy Thoennes, U.S. Dep't of Just., NCJ 183781, Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey, at iv (2000), available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/183781.htm

* Intimate partner violence made up 20% of all nonfatal violent crime experienced by women in 2001.

Callie Marie Rennison, U.S. Dep't of Just., NCJ 197838, Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Data Brief: Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001, at 1 (2003), available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/ipv01.pdf

* Intimate partners committed 3% of the nonfatal violence against men.

Callie Marie Rennison, U.S. Dep't of Just., NCJ 197838, Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Data Brief: Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001, at 1 (2003), available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/ipv01.pdf

* In 2000, 1,247 women and 440 men were killed by an intimate partner. In recent years, an intimate partner killed approximately 33% of female murder victims and 4% of male murder victims.

Callie Marie Rennison, U.S. Dep't of Just., NCJ 197838, Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Data Brief: Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001, at 1 (2003), available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/ipv01.pdf

* Access to firearms yields a more than five-fold increase in risk of intimate partner homicide when considering other factors of abuse, according to a recent study, suggesting that abusers who possess guns tend to inflict the most severe abuse on their partners.

Jacquelyn C. Campbell et al., Risk Factors For Femicide in Abusive Relationships: Results From A Multi-Site Case Control Study, 93 Am. J. of Public Health 1089, 1092 (2003), abstract available at http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/93/7/1089

* Of females killed with a firearm, almost two-thirds were killed by their intimate partners. The number of females shot and killed by their husband or intimate partner was more than three times higher than the total number murdered by male strangers using all weapons combined in single victim/single offender incidents in 2002.

The Violence Pol'y Ctr., When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2002 Homicide Data: Females Murdered by Males in Single Victim/Single Offender Incidents, at 7 (2004), available at http://www.vpc.org/studies/wmmw2004.pdf

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1998 and 2002:

* Of the almost 3.5 million violent crimes committed against family members, 49% of these were crimes against spouses.
* 84% of spouse abuse victims were females, and 86% of victims of dating partner abuse at were female.
* Males were 83% of spouse murderers and 75% of dating partner murderers
* 50% of offenders in state prison for spousal abuse had killed their victims. Wives were more likely than husbands to be killed by their spouses: wives were about half of all spouses in the population in 2002, but 81% of all persons killed by their spouse.

Matthew R. Durose et al., U.S. Dep't of Just., NCJ 207846, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Family Violence Statistics: Including Statistics on Strangers and Acquaintances, at 31-32 (2005), available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/fvs.pdf

[ZombieHorde]

63. I know that some men enjoy abusing women.

I am not arguing that at all. I have heard stories at work and school, and I have read many articles where extreme abuses are highlighted. I am sure that we hold similar views on this subject.

"disagreeable person" just doesn't pack the same punch does it? It's like saying refering to someone as nigger is the same as referring to them as african american. Different word, different history, different meaning.

If I was being beaten, being called names would be the least of my concerns. If I was being threatened, I would be more concerned about the tone and potential for violence than the actual words being used. Maybe I am just weird this way.

Would a beating be worse for you if you were called ugly names while it happened? Perhaps it would be for me if I was in love with the abuser.

[cali]

67. it's not about "enjoying abusing women"

It's clear you don't know much about domestic abuse. First of all, verbal abuse can also be devastating. And since you've never experienced abuse, you don't know how you'd react. I was someone that always said that if a man ever abused me, I'd be out in heartbeat. It took me over two years.

[ZombieHorde]

78. And since you've never experienced abuse,

Not as an adult, but I have as a young child by a family member.

When I was in middle school, I started biting those who would harm me on the face or thighs. Any tender spot I could get my mouth on. I don't know if it was right or wrong of me, but people stopped bullying me and I still carry that spark of confidence to this day.

I was someone that always said that if a man ever abused me, I'd be out in heartbeat. It took me over two years.

Relationships don't make any sense. Love is not logical. I think that you may know this better than I.

[NC_Nurse]

51. I agree that it is particularly offensive given it's usage as a demeaning and

intimidating insult. I would also say that I think calling people demeaning names - the candidates or each other - is just
NOT appropriate. I like to cuss too, but using a person's identity as an insult is just wrong - whether it's sexist, racist,
anti-semetic, etc. You're putting down all people in that group, not just them.

[Mother Of Four]

53. I can't even bring myself to say the word-

Much less want to hear it. It's bad enough reading it.

Thank you for starting this thread Cali-

Someone can disagree all they want with another's stances on issues, personality conflicts or ways of doing things. But lets leave the cursing insults at the door.

I despise it when I see someone calling names, no matter how much I dislike the person in question.

EDIT- Was neutral to begin with...but wanted to make it even more neutral.

[Texasgal]

58. The "C" word is

sexist and offensive and ANYONE that uses it is a digusting POS. PERIOD.


ON EDIT: PERIOD.

[ZombieHorde]

65. Hi Texasgal

Is my lover a "digusting POS. PERIOD." for occasionally using that word to refer to her vagina?

[Texasgal]

83. If she is referring to herself

than I see no issue.

Hello?

[cali]

84. It's different to use the word for referring to a body part than

to call a person that bodypart

[ZombieHorde]

90. referring to a body part

That is the vast majority of cases that I have heard that word used. But I believe everyone here that says that that is not the case for them.

Reading the views on this board make me glad that I rarely use the word, and when I do, I am talking about the body part.

[Marrah_G]

97. Good!

I honestly hope you never hear it in any other way. It would be my fondest wish that no woman ever have to hear it used as a slur.

[ZombieHorde]

98. Well...

I have heard bitch many many times.

[CitizenRob]

68. Wow you're giving people a lot of power over you.

If somebody can anger you and make you offended just by using a simple word... well, being a victim gets you farther in life right?

[Texasgal]

85. You are a sexist pig

PERIOD.

[CitizenRob]

89. you're a victim because you make yourself one.

I wonder if you'll ever figure that one out on your own.

[Texasgal]

100. NO.. you are TRULY

A SEXIST PIG. PERIOD.;

[emilyg]

60. Thank you.

[Pavulon]

61. In australia = mates

it is all in what it means to you. What context it is used in.

[TankLV]

62. how about because Ladys and Gentlemen don't use such words?!?!

whatever happened to proper behavior in PUBLIC?!?!

seems pretty simple to me...

"potty mouth" is still "potty mouth", no matter who, what, when or where it's uttered...

and it's about fuckin' time we behaved ourselves!!!...

[Name removed]

64. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[PoliticalAmazon]

69. "Cunt" is no more offensive than "prick." Words only have the power you give to them. n/t

[CitizenRob]

70. thank you. Don't expect these self imposed "victims" to get it though.

[cali]

75. Women who are beaten and abused are NOT self-imposed "victims"

I've gathered from other posts of yours that you're not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, but your posts on this thread make it clear that's not your only problem. Seek help. You're spewing sick shit.

[CitizenRob]

80. Do you want to talk about physical violence, or be offended by a word.

Pick one. It is two separate issues. I well not discuss nor acknowledge them both as equivalent in anyway.

[Marrah_G]

86. They are NOT seperate issues

[CitizenRob]

87. Actually, they are. We're talking about the usage of the C word in normal discussion.

The OP posted that she personally hates the C word because of violent incidents in which the C word were used, therefore ALL PEOPLE FOR ALL TIME EVERYWHERE IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE may never use that word again.

I watched my mother get the shit kicked out of her often by my step father. I heard him say terrible things. He kicked the shit out of me too, and my little brother. So don't think I don't know what domestic violence is. Because I do. He said terrible things to all three of us as he did these things. But, I would NEVER presume to tell ANYBODY that they can't use certain words just because I had a bad experience once in which those words were used. My bad experiences do not obligate ANYBODY to treat me like a victim, and I'd never want them to.

[Marrah_G]

88. There is no use for the word in normal discussion in reference to a woman.

How you do not know that is just astonishing.

[CitizenRob]

94. I know it because I have experience Marrah.

I'm gay. The words fag, faggot, homo, and queer we're all words that I used to let hurt me. But then radical LGBT groups began adopting the word queer as a "screw you" to those who would try to use it against us. And you know what? That word is now completely powerless, in fact, I wear it with pride. Queer, have you any idea how amazing and all encompasing that word is now? It covers the entire alphabet soup of LGBTIQ (and other letters I can't recall.) God what an amazing word.

I own fag, faggot and homo the same way now (homo was never as bad as the other two) I love those words, god damn it, I'm a BIG GIANT FAG and I LOVE being a big giant fag.

And yes, I faced physical violence where that word was used. I had a gun pointed at me once and that word was used.

But that word well never make me a victim again, I'm proud to be a faggot.

If you have a vagina, I hope you're as proud of it as I am of my faggotty queer self.

[Marrah_G]

96. You are so wrong on this- you think you have it all figured out but you don't

You didn't want to call Hillary a cunt because you think it's great that she has a vagina. You wanted to call her one because you hate her and you know cunt is a word that demeans and belittles women. THAT is why you want to be able to call her a whore and a cunt and a bitch. Because you despise her and you want to be able to use horrible and demeaning words to describe her.

You are no better then a racist calling a black man a n****. Same reason behind it. Hatred, disgust, even fear.

Something is broken inside you and it's sad.

[cali]

71. no, it's like n***er

it carries a history of violence.

[CitizenRob]

74. It's no different you're right. As HISTORICALLY repulsive as that word is...

it's the victims who give those who use it the power by letting it be offensive.

I know it's an awful truth, but if the black community owned that word, gave permission to everybody on the planet to use it... that word would no longer have the negative power it has. As it is now it ONLY has negative power.

But... being a victim has it's own misleading power of course.

[Marrah_G]

72. Oh bullshit- It is no different then calling a black man a n*****

Words have meaning- Words Matter.

[CitizenRob]

76. Words matter if you make them matter.

When I'm called a fag or a faggot I am the one who has to either OWN it, or take offense at it. I've done both in my lifetime, and I know which of those solutions results in the attacker losing all power over me.

I OWN THAT WORD.

[Gormy Cuss]

93. Good for you. That doesn't mean that others who choose to "own" hateful words

by taking offense are wrong. They see your ownership as defeat, and with good reason. The attacker may still believe the word has power over you -- in fact, the attacker may be emboldened to use it even more when there are no consequences.

[CitizenRob]

73. It is a WORD. Being offended by it, making yourself a victim of it, that only usurps your own power

[cali]

77. I don't do this often

but you're so full of it that ignore is the only way to go.

[CitizenRob]

81. okay bye.

self created victim. By the way, to me, calling somebody a "self created victim" is far worse than calling them a c word. Because nothing could more despicable than somebody who usurps their own power and authority.

[Emillereid]

79. The Vagina Monologues argues that we should take back the word.

[CitizenRob]

82. I'm a man saying it, so of course I'm wrong.

Despite having done this VERY thing with the word fag.

[Emillereid]

95. George Carlin has taught us that words only have the power we give them.

[Major Hogwash]

113. George Carlin is not a mod here, though.

And I memorized the "Heavy 7 words you can never say on teevee" clear back in 1973, from his album.

Carlin is a genius, a frickin' genius.

[RhodaGrits]

91. You have this so right Cali. It is so often linked to abuse...

When I was around 20, I visited my alcoholic father early one morning. He was on the phone with his girlfriend of the moment and he kept asking her with a smirk and a wink to me "How's your c**t honey?" Within an hour of the call, he tried to rape me. Whenever I hear the word, I go a little nuts. I know from many conversations that I'm not the only one who associates sexual abuse with that word and for that reason alone, it should be off limits.

[Umbram]

99. The c-word is out of bounds. 'monster' on the other hand must be saved.

The only word I want to "save" from being considered sexist (out of the c-word, the b-word, witch, whatever) is 'monster.'

I don't know why people began claiming monster is sexist.

Do a search for Bush, Rove, Cheney, etc. and the word Monster.

Here is a VERY small sample:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1720973
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2549977
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2524548
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x965108
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2147191
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3018718

[Marrah_G]

101. Thank you Mods !!!!!!!!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=user_profiles&u_id=144882

[tandot]

106. Boy, I am so glad he is gone.

well-deserved TS

[Terran]

114. Oh thank god.

It was about freaking time.

[lukasahero]

108. Wow

It's about freakin' time!

[LowerManhattanite]

102. It's a poisonous word. Blunt. A brutal boiling down of a woman...

...already operating at a disadvantage in a misogynistic society to a harsh, gut-kick of a word for her sexuality.

Unusable here. End of story.

[TheWraith]

103. cali, may I offer a suggestion?

While you of course have the right to be insulted by such language, if you can't think of a word more demeaning and trashy then that one, I'd suggest you're not trying hard enough. I can think of several.

May I respectfully suggest that a large part of the emotional charge you associate with the word is due to your prick of an ex?

(Oops--I just used a derogatory word for human genitals.)

[McCamy Taylor]

104. This is the number one nasty word for women. Especially if a man uses it.

Now, for straight men, a word that implies that he is homosexual is often as offensive. But cuss words are always in context. This is absolutely the forbidden word for men to call women. It is like "n****r". It implies that he is threatening to rape me the way that the n word implies that someone is about to get lynched.

As usual with words like these, women can use then around other women in some situations and they lose their negative meaning.

[cali]

105. really? I think c**t is on par with n***er

amd it's not just my personal experience. I spent 5 years working as the Victim Advocate in the State's Attny's office and by far the most common violent crime was domestic violence. That word popped up quite a bit. And I just want to add that I don't see things in black and white, and my ex wasn't just a cardboard villain.

[Terran]

115. I honestly can't think of a worse word than that for women.

Maybe it's because I'm a man, but I'm good with languages. To me it's co-equal with the N-word. I don't think the OP is exaggerating her sense of it all.

[theboss]

116. In recent years, I think I've only heard women use it

My fiancee used it to describe an ex-boss once. That was a little shocking.

I had a gf in the 90s who I was kind of nuts about but who one of my friends always referred to as "The C---." Normally, I should have punched him but he was such a mild-mannered guy that it was actually kind of amusing that he hated someone so much.

[tandot]

107. Couldn't agree more. Thanks, Cali. K & R.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

109. Fully agree.

[AlinPA]

110. It is an ignorant and stupid word used by complete slobs.

[lumberjack_jeff]

112. Well said, Cali. n/t