When you look words in their simplest forms it can be very strange. Words by themselves don't have meaning, but we as people give words meaning. Words are very powerful devices and when you can change the meaning of a word to benefit you rather than be derogative towards you, it's a rather big deal. That's exactly what Jo Freeman does in “The Bitch Manifesto” (which you can read here http://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/bitch.htm). Written in 1969, it is an satirical writing about the roles of women in society, and at any time they try to break free of the norm expected of them they are perceived as unfeminine and called harsh words like “bitch”.
Basically in this writing she flips the script on what the word “bitch” means. Instead of it being used in an negative connotation, she uses it as something thats positive and something women should be proud of. Freeman says “Bitches seek their identity strictly thru themselves and what they do. They are subjects, not objects”. She is basically describing a strong independent women, but instead of using the term “bitch” as something to be ashamed of she uses it as a term of empowerment and strength. She also says “a Bitch is a threat to the social structures which enslave women and the social values which justify keeping them in their place”. People who are called “bitches” are oppressed for not being feminine enough for society but Freeman sees this as a good thing. If women act as she thinks “bitches” do, it means there are women who are breaking down gender barriers. A man screams at someone to do something, he's fine. If a women screams at someone to do something, she’s seen as a bitch. By removing the negative connotation from the word bitch it gives women that ability to be strong and independent without shame.
I bring up this writing by Freeman is because I feel that it's important to realize that the words that people try to use against you don't define you. You define yourself and no one else can do that. No matter what someone may call you or think of you their words mean nothing as long as you're true to yourself and not doing what others want or tell you to do. There are times when society and others may tell you that you shouldn’t be acting like this or that, trying to force you into a traditional role that you don't fit. When those times occur it's important to remember that you dictate your own worth and happiness. Being yourself and being happy is much better than trying to be something you're not in attempt to make others happy but not yourself.
Another reason I brought this up is that the point Jo Freeman gets across in her writing is still very relevant in today's society. Stigmas about people because of their sex or race still exist and overall bring the quality of life down. People shouldn’t be punished based on their gender or race. Equality is still an issue and even though progress has been made that doesn't mean we should be complacent and stop. If we don't be proactive and tackle these kinds of issues now they are going to continue to occur. Asking for equality isn't enough equality must be demanded. People are not the same we are all different but Maya Angelou says it best in her poem Human Family, “I note the obvious differences/between each sort and type,/but we are more alike, my friends,/than we are unalike.” It’s necessary to push differences to the side and realize we have so much more in common than we believe.
