Lupe Fiasco's recent track "B*tch Bad", attempts to examine the complications and insinuations of the b-word, which is used so frivolously in today's culture; specifically in hip hop music. In the song, Fiasco depicts the contradictory uses of the b-word, and how women and men use this term differently. In the track, Fiasco explains that young women are listening to hip hop music in particular, and equalize being a "bad b*tch" with being sexually appealing, strong and cool. Thus, these young women unknowingly self objectify themselves by dressing in provocative ways, and referring to themselves as "bad b*tches" in order to fit a stereotype of what they believe certain men want. In one portion of the song, Lupe Fiasco raps from a young man's perspective. This young man grew up with a strong mother, and was not attracted to one of the young women who was attempting look like a "bad b*tch":
"Momma never dressed like that,
come out the house hot mess like that
A**, titties, dressed like that, all out to impress like that
Just like that, you see the confusion
He caught in a reality, she caught in an illusion"
Lupe Fiasco, by writing this stanza, is explaining that because of the way the word “b*tch” is used so frequently in music and today's culture, many young women start thinking that they need to fit the stereotype associated with loose provocative clothing, but instead of empowering themselves, they are succumbing to the illusion created by misogynistic music.
In society, it is clear that the term, "b*tch" has dramatically become mainstream. In popular culture and every day life, men and women both use the term "b*tch" as an epithet against women, and non conventional men. By declaring a person to be the b-word, that individual is then devalued and dehumanized.
A literal "b*tch" as most people know, is a female dog. Historically, these dogs that are in heat experience a change in personality for a short period of time, and owners can usually tell when their dogs undergo this change, because it is evident in how they behave. Women have been referred to in this way for many years, perhaps even dating back to the 1400s. The connotation of this term was a bit more severe back then, because it was equating a particular woman who had low morals to be that of a dog. It was also used specifically in reference to a woman's sexuality, in that a woman who was called a "b*tch" was even lesser than a prostitute, because prostitutes received payment in money for sex, whereas these women did not. In Greco/Roman culture, the goddess Artemis (Diana) was commonly depicted with dogs, or even as a dog herself. Those who opposed this polytheism referred to Artemis' followers as a "sons of a b*tch", which is a common derogatory phrase used today as well.
In modern day, it is clear that this word has certainly not dropped off the radar screen, in that it is seen regularly in the media and in everyday conversations. Just listening to music, the b-word is uncensored, and is usually always in reference to a woman. Kanye West recently came out with a song entitled, "Perfect B*tch", which is a song about Kim Kardashian. We still hear phrases by men and women alike saying, "she's a b*tch", which is referring negatively about a certain woman. It's even used in other situations like, "that test was a real b*tch"! In this case, it is clear that the test or any other object or scenario described this way, was extremely unpleasant and negative. I have also heard the phrase, "I bent it over and made it my b*tch", which is something that people throw around. This phrase is in my opinion, the worst of them all. Not only does it have a rape-like connotation, but it equalizes the term "b*tch" (women) to being dominated and controlled in a violent way.
Some women nowadays are attempting to "reclaim" the b-word, and instead use it as a compliment rather than a criticism. But I argue that this term was originally intended to dehumanize women, so why attempt to reclaim a word that is so destructive? I feel that in "reclaiming" this word, women are actually just reinforcing the sexism that promoted it in the first place.
Words have a powerful and lasting effect on individuals and culture. They can elevate and bring people together, or they can destroy. Women must understand and grasp the meaning of this destructive and pervasive word, and cease using this term to describe themselves and other women. This word is in no form a compliment, and should not be considered acceptable. By women using this term commonly to refer to themselves and each other, it is sending a conflicting message to men, and allows them to use this term. Since the b-word is so derogatory and dehumanizing, it is crucial that men and women alike stop throwing this term around, for it will most likely only cause further social destruction and promote inequality.
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