Slut (n): a woman who has many casual sexual partners

Synonyms: Prostitute, whore, tramp, hooker, hustler, floozy.

Sounds kind of familiar, doesn't it? Unfortunately, it is a word that is used to shame women of all ages, races, religions, ethnicities, political backgrounds, job positions, etc. Calling a woman a "slut" is no longer restricted to the concept of having many casual sexual partners, it is thrown as an insult in any way conceivable. "Slut" transcends the definition of its synonym, "prostitute". When you call the girl who kissed your ex-boyfriend two weeks after you dumped him a slut or a whore, you scream jealousy. Your insecurity unleashes like a caged animal after a lifetime of isolation, and you have made it your mission to tear her down with hurtful words to make yourself seem superior. The girl has not slept with a man for money, committed an act of treason, or murdered an innocent civilian. She simply kissed a cute boy, who happened to have ties with you a while ago.

Remember that girl in your high school that had too much to drink at Jesse's party and lost her virginity? You and your girlfriends called her a dirty whore, and gave her the cold shoulder for multiple weeks after. Every shirt she wore was deemed "too tight", her eyeliner was too thick, and she probably stuffs her bra, right? It turns out that she was raped that night, and never told anyone. She felt so badly about being violated that she took responsibility for it, and has hated herself ever since. The jabs they throw at her, the rumors her peers spread, and the slut-shaming becomes her truth, and she begins to believe that her real character is made up of all of these lies.

These stories are real, and can be told in different versions by millions of women all over the world. The judgment must end, now. In ripping apart the self-esteem of other women, we are subconsciously projecting our own insecurities. Chances are, we have all committed acts we are not proud of. We have been the ones that have fooled around with a boy one night and regretted it the next. We have been the ones that angered our friend flirting with her ex while under the influence. We have been the ones that have worn a skirt that was too tight, and when we tripped, our underwear was showing.

If we are all guilty of the occasional flirty behavior or act of promiscuity, WHY do we feel so compelled to judge others for doing the same? As human beings, we have the choice to do what we want with our bodies, regardless of what anyone else says. While I do believe that our bodies are sacred and should be treated with care and respect, I have no right to judge others based on how they choose to use treat themselves. Shaming another woman can not only be incredibly cruel, but can damage her self worth permanently.

Is that really what we're striving for? When you call your sorority sister or the girl in your math class a whore, is your aim to make her hate herself because of a factor of her personal life that has nothing to do with you? Do YOU want to be the person responsible for the comment that caused her to take those extra pills, hoping that her pain will disappear? When you hear her sobbing in the shower, how will you feel about yourself and the way you treated another human being? Face reality. These scenarios seem drastic, but they are real, and they have lead to an epidemic.

This generation is plagued by slut-shaming, which is extremely disappointing and disturbing. As women, we should be lifting each other up and supporting one another in our endeavors. For centuries, women were viewed as subordinates, lacking the basic human rights that men have always possessed. Finally, we have reached a time in history in which we have the power to regain momentum and to achieve the potential that lies within us all. By shaming one another, we give others permission to do the same to us and other women, as if it is acceptable. It is up to US to put an end to slut-shaming, and to set an example for the rest of the world that it should never be tolerated.

Let us empower each other to embrace our bodies and our freedom to flourish in whatever we choose to pursue, whether it may be a relationship, a goal, or a career. Words are the most powerful tools in existence, so let's use them for good, not evil.

As performing goddess Beyonce famously sang, "Who run the world? GIRLS."

Let's get it, ladies.