I'm the Baddest Bitch

So continuing on the usage of the word bitch, I want to take some time out, and delve into how modern women use the word. To rewind, I posted an earlier blog (You Bitch!) exploring the history of the word. If you didn't get a chance to read, its a must! Now, lets fast forward, to 2009, and explore how and why women are using the "derogatory" word. Now to forewarn you, this blog is my opinion. And of course, everyone's opinion is different. So I just want you to take a time out and step into my brain.  
Ready for real talk?
Okay ladies, so women are currently using the word bitch to describe themselves in a positive connotation. So its safe to assume, when you hear a woman say the following, the baddest bitch," "I am that bitch right there, "I am a 5 star bitch," and you get my point, that she is referring to herself as a strong, independent, assertive, outspoken, and sexy woman. Now, I am not going to stand on my soapbox, and say that I am not guilty for using the word once or twice. But lets really think about it, are we, as women, justified in using this word?
Now I understand that some of you will say that we as women, are reclaiming and redistributing the word. Which, you are correct, that has been done with other infamous words as well. But honestly speaking, are we REALLY taking back the word, or are we just becoming immune to it?
Lets be honest here, if we want to describe ourselves as positive and outspoken females, is bitch really the only option?? Lets open up a dictionary, actually thats a lie, I don't own one, so sad, but welcome to 2009. Okay lets plug it in the search engine. So when we use the word bitch, we mean outspoken right? There are 12 synonyms, don't believe me? (direct, candid, frank, straightforward, honest, open, plain-spoken; blunt, abrupt, bluff, and brusque) Now lets move on to the word sexy. More than 20 synonyms!! (Seductive, desirable, alluring, toothsome, sensual, sultry, slinky, provocative, and etc.) Get the point? So why in the world do we have to use that word?? 
Ok fine, the word bitch is a conglomerate that means all of the above. Come on, lets not be that lazy. Using more than one adjective is not going to take up too much time. 
I have something else that I want you to digest....2 questions. Question number one, Will you allow your child, lets be specific, daughter to use this word to describe herself? Answer honestly now, this is real talk. 
And now the million dollar question, lets flip the script, is it okay for a man to call you a bitch? Think about this clearly, I am not talking about a random person, a loved one, a sibling, your man. A person you love calling you out of your name. Did you think about it? I hope you will agree with me, when I say, a man, a REAL man, does not call ANY woman that he cares about out of her name. (Notice, I said who he cares about...I will go in on that one another day) Once a man crosses that line of disrespect, and you as a woman tolerate it, where does it end from there? What other names will he call you? It only takes one time, and thats it. 
So, I guess my whole point is, I think we should stop lying and justifying to ourselves of why we are using the word bitch. Lets be honest, and admit that we have become accustomed to the verbiage. Unfortunately, it is in our everyday language. It can be heard on our favorite shows, and songs. But it still doesn't make it acceptable. So instead of jumping on the bandwagon and complying to the usage, lets change it. Lets be the change. And if not, I hope this helps you think twice when using it. 
Hope you enjoyed!


xOxO, 
Jen

If you live in NYC...then this is for you!

For those who live in NYC, or at least its vicinity, this Wednesday, December 2nd, Rockefeller tree will be lit at 8:55pm.
There will be special guests and events from 7pm-9pm. So if you get a chance, attend! I can be sure it will be a memorable experience.

When: Wednesday, December 2nd from 7pm-9pm.

Where: Rockefeller Center, West 48-51st between 5th and 6th Aves

Special Guests: Radio City Rockettes, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, The Roots and others...

The event is free, so don't forget to arrive early to secure your spot!

Happy Holidays!

So thats it! We are in the full swing of the holidays. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, the season of giving, family memories, and serious weight gain is upon us. But don't fear, I am going to include tons of shopping tips, and sales, (other than Black Friday), events, and of course dos and donts when dating during the season.

Happy Holidays!

Now thats Bitchy!

I wanted to throw in something for the ladies, and this is a fashion trend, that I absolutely love. Over the knee boots! I am guilty of purchasing a few over the knee boots, but I think they are definitely sexy...it sexes any outfit, jeans, dresses, skirts, and even leggings. Over the knee boots remind me of Superwoman, a definite superhero. So thats why I had to include this in our Bitchy week!
There are so many options...leather, suede, wedges, stilettos, laces. I included some pictures of my favorite from this fall. Don't forget to go buy a pair!

You Bitch!

Sorry guys for the delay. We were undergoing some maintenance issues, but we are back on board! And bitchy week is here. And maybe extended, depending how much in depth we go in.
So lets begin with the topic at hand...The infamous usage of the word bitch!
Now where should we begin?
The definition, history, evolution...Given there is so much information, I decided to break this topic into segments, because not only I want to express opinions, but lets share some knowledge. Today we will explore the history of the word bitch...

The term bitch is derived from the word, bicche or bicce, meaning female in the dog family. This dates back to 1000 AD, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Eventually around the 14th century, the term evolved to describe a woman with lewd or sexual practices, so in other words, what we call a whore today. At this time, this was considered the ultimate insult to a woman. In other words, everyone agrees the term bitch is always coined to describe a female.

Now there isn't an exact date when the term was "claimed" by women. However, its safe to assume it occurred during the second wave of feminist movement in the late 1960s. Now this reappropriation of a word has occurred to different terms as well. Examples would include queer, and the infamous N word. There are ongoing heated debates about who can use them, and in what context. The point of reappropriation is changing the word that once was used as an insult and reclaim, or re-appropriate its use, but in the opposite context. With the word, bitch, in this case, was used as an insult towards women, so during the feminist movement, women reclaimed the word, to mean its modern form of usage, which is a strong, aggressive, assertive woman. 
An excerpt from the Bitch Manifesto by Joreen Freeman..."Bitches prefer to plan their own lives rather from live day to day, action to action, person to person. They are independent cusses and believe they are capable of doing anything they damn well want to. If something gets in their way; well thats why they become Bitches."
Pop culture has seized the word, and now its everywhere to mean everything. You can hear the word Bitch on songs, tv shows, and etc. It has become integrated to our everyday language. What I want to explore, has it lost its meaning? Or did women actually "reclaim" the word? And can men call women bitches?
More to come...told you we were going in on this one.

xOxO,
Jen