Disclaimer: Please excuse the language.
If you've ever heard,"yeah, she's kind of a slut " it can be easy to brush off, but when you hear it from someone who seems to really mean it, the sting lasts a bit longer. It's hard to not carry the words with you. You're suddenly more careful in the jokes you make, suddenly a bit more shy, suddenly a little more picky about the clothes you wear.
I'm going to the gym, but I can't wear spandex, because then I'm putting my butt on display and practically begging for sexual attention. I'm going out to dinner, but maybe I should throw a sweater in the car to avoid any chance of judgmental looks. I'm not saying modesty isn't in good taste, but if I feel like I have to make sure everything I wear doesn't lead to the title of "slut," then there's a problem.
Today, our culture is so openly vulgar that words like "slut," "hoe," and "whore" get tossed around like spare pennies in a change purse. Once you're branded, you're branded. Once you've been called a slut, according to the name-caller, you'll never really not a "slut."
It's the next "r" word, also known as 'retard' and considered offensive. Slut shaming terminology is unacceptable and we've been using it so causally we don't think twice about how it affects both men and women.
Proverbs 12:18 says, "reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
If we're using our words knowing they'll inflict pain, what kind of people are we? You've been robbed of some of your security and your confidence. You worry that if your new brand reaches a new set of ears, it will affect the way that person sees you, whether it be a new love interest or even a new friend.
It's your new scarlet letter, even though it's really not up to anyone if you deserve it or not.
While it's not okay to hear from anyone's lips, knowing that it came from someone who once pursued you can make matters even worse. They may have lost all control in whatever type of relationship that was there, but they haven't lost the power to wield the words that cut to the bone. The worst part? The double standard. I'm not talking about the "bad lock can be opened by many keys" analogy, I'm referring to the fact that if a girl was pursued and gave in to any type of physical relationship (sometimes even just kissing), she's a slut, but there's no reprimanding the boy who encouraged it.
So how do we avoid branding others as "sluts"? The most important thing that anyone can do with their words is be mindful of what they're saying. We'd grown up hearing "think before you speak," yet most of us still haven't caught on to this simple lesson.
Think about these before you call someone a slut: Why are you choosing to brand them?, have they done something you think makes them deserve the new label?,what gives you the right to decide that they deserve it?
