Warning to all my charming preteen readers: I appreciate you so much, but keep in mind this post has some words that could be very hurtful. Please keep in mind tact when (and if!) you ever feel it is truly necessary to use them. To everyone else, I hope someone has taught you what I just told the preteens.
Key message: This post has bad words.
The SlutWalk protests actually originated in Canada. Knowing that something so glaring and glorious came from my mass of land makes me prouder than anything even if I am about to discuss shame. SlutWalk is creative and original response to completely inappropriate comments made (by a member of the police force, no less) that implied a way to avoid rape was to wear clothing that was less provocative. SlutWalk is from radical feminists to liberal feminists joining together to agree that something must be done to take a stand against the rape culture that has become acceptable in our society; it is important to teach people not to rape instead of teaching how not to be raped. SlutWalk is important, and SlutWalk is great.
But I am not a slut.
On the census I'm counted as a 'woman', and I go to a school where I am part of the roughly 60% that is 'female.' As both of those things, I possess rights. 'Sluts' do not have rights in Canada. Women who are slutty do, if we really want to make the argument. If you MUST use the word, I suppose it could be an adjective. Why on Earth would we reduce ourselves to a label that does not even possess rights? We are fighting for equal rights, right? Women's rights? So where does this 'slut' come from?
Oh RIGHT! We're reclaiming it. As WOMEN, SLUT is OUR word. We're taking away the shame. We're bringing it back! While we are at it, I'm going to sigh as say, "Radical."
Reclaiming words will make them have less of a meaning and then there will be less shame in being called a slut and then all women will be happy an empowered and no one will be raped, right? 'Reclaiming' is so DIY, so something you'd see at Urban Outfitters. Reclaiming words is so hip. Now, let's see how reclaiming words has worked for
African Americans.
.. Oh. Oh gosh. If Oprah Winfrey is debating it on her show then the case hasn't been closed.
Would you go up to anyone, not even just a black person, but anyone and
use this word nowadays? Searching Youtube tells me that a lot of people would, but that is not looking someone in the eye. That is not around someone you respect. The 'rights' to
it belong to people who are not me. Apparently, as a female, slut is my word that I get to decide if it hurts me or not or if everyone can say it or if only women can. Hurray. I just can't wait to hold this responsibility. Can you hear the enthusiam in my voice.
...
Now, let's clear something up. This word and slut are not comparable. The words do not have the same social connotation or level of social acceptability. The words do not share a same history. Although I will not say that one hurt has caused more hurt than the other, I know that when I hear one I feel weird, and the other I roll my eyes. You cannot compare the two, but if we are to re-appropriate the word slut, then maybe we should ask other groups who have tried to do the same. You know, value their opinion. Listen to their successes. Learn from their failures.
Are we really trying to reteach what the word slut means? Or do we know that we are subjected to a largely cold and uncaring media that labels feminists as unattractive and uncouth? Is the word slut about reinvention and victory or about media attention? Do we simply know that the word Woman Walk just won't stick? That no one will care? Is 'slut' a way to bring attention back to our cause? Or do we really want to walk down the street yelling "Jessie, you slut, I haven't seen you in ages!"
Maybe some people do.
Maybe at 21 I'm old and silly. Maybe I have lost the vision. Maybe I am barking at
kids these days who are older than me. Maybe my more reserved side is coming out.
But this I know for sure:
In my 21 years, words have come and words have gone. Regardless of the origins and whether they stemmed from 1800s English or 1960s stoner culture, insults phase in and out with what's vogue. If slut becomes the norm, something else will hurt.
Let's stand as women. Let's raise girls to be stronger than ANY words. Let's build self esteem by calling girls smart instead of calling them sluts. Let's pressure for more programs for rape victims. Let's teach our sons and daughters that there is no shame, in sexuality or a lack of things that are sexual. Let's raise people out of poverty or ignorance or downright evil; whatever it is that makes some people think that sexual assault is excusable. Let's show no mercy for those who have no excuse. There is no excuse.
There is no excuse.
SlutWalk, your word makes me grate my teeth but I still think you're great. Thank goodness people care. Thank goodness people noticed. Thank goodness attention is drawn. I support you. I don't understand all of what you are preaching, but I have admitted my uncomfortable biases. I am not discouraging you, 'sluts.'
(Can I call you that?) I am simply reminding you that there is a whole demographic of people you are trying to represent that you are leaving on the sidelines. We are called women. Some of us will be your greatest ally.
It was women who secured the right to vote, not sluts.
I still love what you do! I WILL show up when the walk is in Halifax. I will be covered, but I will admire the boots and fishnets. I will defend you, I will say amazing things about you to the local media. I will walk the walk and talk the talk and cry for the awful things that people say when they are trying to discourage us.
But don't you
dare call me a slut.
Really. I'll kick you in the heels.
Because I'm a bitch.
