Not too long ago, Adorable Child muttered to a friend that her teacher was “a b*tch” as she was leaving the classroom. Unfortunately for her (in the short term, but good in the long), she was overheard… and the subject of AC’s comment was incensed.
The teacher called me, very concerned about AC’s use of this word — specifically this word — toward a fellow female. Ultimately, AC was called upon to write an essay about the Women’s Rights Movement, and she received several lectures on the topic.
I don’t know whether the lesson really hit home for my 11-year-old, but the relationship with her teacher was damaged beyond repair. AC’s struggled to stay out of her line of sight since.
I have no idea who this teacher supports, politically, but I’d be willing to wager pretty much anything that she’s absolutely livid about the idiots thinking it’s okay to call Hillary Clinton a b*tch, just because she’s Hillary.
Here’s my problem with the whole situation: In the course of my lifetime, I’ve been called that word quite a few times, but I never took it as a reflection on my chromosomal structure. It’s a slur and a cuss word, and it’s demeaning (to me) in exactly the same way any other flagrant, uncouth, and ill-bred attack is. It’s across the line every time on those grounds alone. At the same time, I recognize that there are women — many of them — who take the word b*tch extremely personally every time it’s used, regardless of who was being verbally attacked. Using it on any woman is a slap in the face to all of them.
Just because I don’t internalize the outrage doesn’t mean I approve of the term.
In terms of the Democratic Primary, I think it would behoove Barack Obama to condemn the ongoing, casual application of the term to Hillary. It’s wrong. He knows it… as does everyone else who didn’t grow up in a barn.
But at the same time, I’m just as disgusted (maybe more so) by the bigots across the Appalachian region, and I agree totally with David Gergen: Hillary should tell those who are voting for her because they “won’t vote for a black person” to keep their votes, thanks anyway.
This primary has exposed a nasty, ugly, utterly revolting aspect of our country, and I’m more than embarrassed by it. I’m angry.
It’s appalling that bigots and/or misogynists are being treated lately as if their votes are more important than elsewhere in America.
How pathetically small-minded many Americans have turned out to be.
*****
Added: More expansive commentary on the David Gergen comments here. Via memeorandum.