re: do you use the "C-word"?

Do you use the "C-word"?

No. I say cunt.

As some have pointed out, "cunt" is a pretty common slang term for a guy in areas like Scotland and England - occupying an area somewhere between "dude" and "fuckface." But European ubiquity is not an excuse for use - there or here. Cunt it is still one of the last offensive words in North American culture. Or, rather, it's one of the last words that both men or women would say is offensive. Because women don't get to decide.

Now here is the tricky part so forgive me if this is vague; it sounds like I think these instances are the same. They are not. The reason it is okay to say "dick" and make "boys are smelly" Venn diagrams and not for women is that the structural and historical context is just not comparable - in almost any society.

And, technically, one could say it's equivalent to saying "dick". But, of course, it isn't. Is this because of the view of the female sex (organ)? It is more dirty and taboo? Maybe, but really I think it's because using "dick" as derogatory is allowed due to the historical relationship of women and power. Like, give them the "dick" thing and they'll shut up.

So, are these double standards empowering or just fighting prejudice with ignorance? I mean, stereotypes are going to be "solved" with more stereotypes. If this was about women, would it be okay?

I will never be one to call for a ban on words. I hate c--- or c*** etc. Words of any kind have their place - offensive or otherwise - in dialogue. To be afraid to even use the word to discuss it's use is damaging to open and effective dialogue.

At the end of the day, it's not about the word. The word has been infused with meaning, but it doesn't have negative connotations in and of itself. Men use "dick" as derogatory. So, maybe it's the idea of summing up a person as one piece of flesh. And that is hurtful no matter your sex/gender/self perception.

Let's gather our patience, our intelligence, our compassion and our courage and try to understand how to be sensitive and direct at the same time. Do not say C word. Use the word cunt. Write it out. A woman's sex is not dirty or sacred. But don't call a woman a cunt. Don't define her by her biology. And to evolve as people, let's apply all those things to how we treat all sexes/genders/self perceptions.