WARNING: EDUCATED BLACK WOMAN

Women & Wordplay


"I am the Baddest Bitch." Females between the ages of four to eighty- four can be heard boasting this in every neighborhood, in every city, in every state. This phenomenon has spread like poison ivy and appears just as crude. Thanks to artists like; Lil' Kim, Trina and Nicki Minaj this statement has become even more glorified. We are in an era where women are not only happy but willing and competing to be the top female dog. In 1993, one could hear Queen Latifah's UNITY lyrics blasting from cars, houses and any nearby speaker. The first verse started "Instinct leads me to another flow/ Everytime I hear a brother call a girl a bitch or a ho/ Trying to make a sister feel low/ You know all of that gots to go..." Based on Latifah's lyrics, to call one a Bitch, why those were fighting words. To be called a Bitch was a slap in the face. Most importantly, to call one a Bitch would get you a slap in the face. What a difference a decade makes fore, those days seem to be over.

Throughout history, women have always fought for their right to be treated equally to men. Until 1920, with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, women could not vote in the United States of America! Black women suffrage activists such as; Ella Baker, Septima Clark, Rosa Parks,Fannie Lou Hamer and countless others have paved the way for the modern day woman. Women no longer have jobs and play roles that are strictly related to domesticated duties. Women are getting higher educations, fighting for countries, and managing Fortune 500 companies. To be Black and a woman has always been a challenging role in the United States. It is a constant battle to prove that you can get the job done just as right if not better than your male counterpart.

Similar to the way Blacks use the word "Nigger", women now embrace the term "Bitch" as a term of empowerment, endearment and authority.Many women have taken the term and used a positive spin on it. They feel proud to be called a bitch because that means they are being aggressive and getting the job done. This may be a direct correlation to why Black Women are often referenced as angry. This may also have to do with the exploitation of black women and the disrespect and disregard with the black woman's body.


Another serious consequence, is young girls can be heard referring to themselves as a Bitch and claiming it like a badge of honor. Do we want our daughters and nieces to feel equal to a female dog? Do we want them to believe that to be a Bitch is a great thing? Do we want to project this image on the leaders of tomorrow? Words and verbage are extremely powerful. The way one views the world, more importantly oneself, determines how the world and society will respond to them.

We should be enlightening these beautiful queens. Informing them that they have control of their thoughts and thier actions. They should know that it is not what they are called but what they respond to. They should know their history and know who they really are. It is the responsiblity of each individual to teach others not just by words but by actions. Black women come from a lineage of queens, mathematicians and scientists. It is by choice not chance that determines one's destiny. Instead of boasting about being a female dog women should glorify exactly what they are beautiful strong women.

How profound, poetic and powerful if instead of claiming to be the "Baddest Bitch" Women chanted "We birthed men. We birthed leaders. We birthed a nation. We are not Bitches, we are Strong Black Women."


Regards,
Shari B