This is one of those posts where I am frustrated by something happening. There may be parts that are entertaining (where if you saw me giving this rant in person you would stand back and wait for me to explode), but this isn't really a "funny" post. Just a heads up.
I know that name-calling is part of every person's life. It is a way of belittling the person you are arguing with, and making them feel inferior so that you can win the fight. I understand this, and know that it serves a function (enjoy Sociology friends); however, there are certain names that I absolutely hate being called. Actually, I can only think of one name that I absolutely hate being called: bitch. (I hate this word so much that I will not use it in the rest of this post.)
I've had my fair share of disagreements (because apparently I'm stubborn. Who knew?!"). Some ended with both parties agreeing to disagree, some where one person changed his mind, but there were also those fights where the other person became belligerent, wouldn't listen to reason, and started name-calling. As soon as he got to the point where he was slinging insults, you can bet that one of the first words coming out of his mouth was "B". Now, I think it is sad that this specific term is the go-to insult when arguing with, or describing a woman. It's so generic, tells the audience nothing specific about her actions, only that the person opposite this woman disagrees with whatever she is doing. Maybe if people gave more accurate descriptions of why they don't like the woman they're talking to, I could more readily understand the issues. But simply yelling that she is a Queen Bee will only make me think less of you, not her.
Maybe this is one of those times where I am not the average woman; maybe other women prefer this single-word insult as opposed to a several-word description of their faults. I'm not sure why this term drives me so crazy, but I genuinely hate when people use it, especially against me!
Now that we've established that I am not like the average woman...
I would literally rather be hit than for someone to call me a "witch." Honestly. Take a swing at me, try your luck at giving me a black eye, but don't use THAT word. I know how to defend myself against an opponent trying to hit me: I can block their attack, I can hit back, and I can guarantee that my adversary will be in more pain than I was. I don't really have that when responding to people calling me a Wench. When people use that word as a weapon, it throws me into a stupor and I am literally shocked at their ignorance. I know that I cannot come up with an adequate insult to throw at them because they will not be as offended by my words as I am at theirs, and that makes me angry. I know that my verbal skills are not the best weapon in my arsenal, so my immediate response when I get SO angry is to use my strength and feisty fighting tactics; however, before I have the chance to act on those "FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!" urges, reason kicks in and reminds me that it's illegal to go around beating people (even if I think I have a good reason for it). My desire to stay out of jail has kept me from pulverizing a few people, so when an argument gets to this point I have to make myself walk away from the situation. Of course, since I was not exactly able to defeat my opponent (at least in the way I wanted), later when I see him I imagine that my eyes are lasers and every time I blink I am wounding him the same way that his word hurt me.
Now, the ideal solution would be for people to not fight; however, I'm realistic and know that will never happen. So, what I'm asking is that if you're going to insult me at least get creative. I will respect you more if you call me a string of graphic and expressive slurs instead of the one-word retort mentioned earlier.
Also, if, after reading this post, you feel the need to push the boundaries and call me a Queen Bee, be prepared for me to deck you with everything I have. I might be a "little bitty white girl," but I have a mean Right Cross.
Thus ends the rant.
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