To Those Who Call Girls Sluts:
First and foremost, I would like to give you a round of applause accompanied by "f*ck you." Not literally of course, because then I'd be a slut in your eyes. It doesn't matter if you are a boy, a girl, an adult or a child, calling another girl a "slut" is one of the most hurtful and despicable things another being can call someone.
Regardless of whether the object of your insults is promiscuous or not, the word "slut" destroys confidence—of themselves and others. You are part of the problem, part of the reason why misogyny runs rampant in the Millennial generation. You are the reason young girls are afraid of their own bodies—their lips, their hips, their hair and even the way they look at the world—all because of one insignificant word.
Girls, no matter the age, are influenced by this word. When the people around them begin to use it at a young age, girls and boys alike become accustomed to it. When it is thrown around casually, boys and girls believe it is OK to call another person a slut. Even when it can destroy someone.
Slut.
Slut.
Slut.
In the modern day and age, it should not be frowned upon for women to be confident in their bodies, nor should they be ashamed for enjoying sexual intercourse. For men, sleeping around earns high-fives in the locker rooms and winks from their friends. Why should women be any different? Isn't every human entitled to pleasure?
Women get called sluts all the time—from jealous guys and girls, to petty women who want to make others feel inferior.
To men: whatever your reason for calling a girl a "slut," stop there. Whether it is jealousy, fear, spite or drunkenness, there is no excuse for the damage you caused for calling a girl that word. If you can enjoy yourself, why can't the girl?
To women: why would you put someone of your own gender down? Instead of bringing each other down, women should be lifting each other up. So what if another woman enjoys having sex? Good for her! Let her enjoy herself.
The world doesn't need anymore negativity. Every person, male or female, is capable of their own decisions. Whether it is a career, a meal or if they are going to have sex, the only person who can deem those choices acceptable is the person making them.
Labels and names should be a thing of the past. The only person capable of labeling him or her is themselves, not those around them. Labels are nothing more than a category to put someone in to, and it does not represent the whole person. A person is more than just their label, especially one as mean as "slut."
Next time you think of calling someone a slut, ask yourself this: would you call your mom, sister, best friend, girlfriend or any other woman in your life that? How would you feel if someone did call them that? Would you stick up for them? Or would you agree just because of society's idea of what are appropriate actions for a woman?
Just because "slut" is a word in society's eyes, does not mean it is OK to reduce another person to that.
