Bitchology

The word BITCH has popped up at some interesting points in the last few days. An email I received this morning (posted it below), made me wonder about this.

I looked up the word in Wikipedia as I wondered when the female canine term took on human form. This is what Wikipedia says: “Bitch, a term for the female of a canine species in general, is frequently used as a term for a malicious, spiteful, domineering, intrusive, or unpleasant person, especially a woman. This second meaning has been in use since around 1400. When used to describe a male, it may also confer the meaning of "subordinate", especially to another male, as in prison. Generally, this term is used to indicate that the person is acting outside the confines of their gender roles, such as when women are assertive or aggressive, or when men are passive or servile. More recent variants of bitch are bitchy, ill-tempered (1925), and to bitch, to complain (1930)… The term "bitch" comes from the 1150 word bicche, which was developed from the Old English word bicce. It also may have been derived from the Old Icelandic work bikkja for "female dog." The phrase "son of a bitch" dates back to its use in Of Arthour & Merlin c. 1330.”

Operative word for me in the above definition is: UNPLEASANT

It started Sunday night when Mr. G and I watched The Amazing Race. For those of you not exposed to this show, it’s a reality show during which a number of 2-person teams travel to different places in the world and perform certain tasks usually related to the culture of that area. The last team to check in after completing the tasks is usually eliminated from The Race. There were 5 teams left on Sunday’s show. One team is a mother and her adult son – Margie & Luke – who also happens to be deaf. Another team is two sisters – Jen & Lakisha – who seem (in MY OPINION) to have the “bitch” thing going really well. During the race, the teams retrieve their clues from Race Boxes placed along the course. At two of the Race Boxes, there were some questionable encounters between the 2 afore mentioned teams at which point one of the sisters called the deaf son a “bitch”. [I am amazed that these things happen, but perhaps I shouldn’t be. After all, they are competing for $1 million.] This all led to a confrontation when these 2 teams, along with the brother & sister team of Victor & Tammy, arrived at the Pit Stop at almost the same time. It wasn’t all that pretty, but I guess it could have been worse.

My take on the whole incident is that you just don’t treat other people that way – thank you, Mom, for respecting others and teaching me to do so also. Yup, it’s a contest. Yup, there’s a bunch of money involved. And the reality of the reality shows is that the REAL people come out from behind their nice little masks and become bitches (female AND male). I don’t care who started what… get over it!! OMG… am I being a bitch?

The email that started all my wonderings follows:

BITCHOLOGY

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch.
When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch.
When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way; they call me a bitch.

Being a bitch means I won’t compromise what’s in my heart.
It means I live my life MY way.
It means I won’t allow anyone to step on me.

When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a bitch.
The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone’s maid, or when I act a little selfish.

It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be truly who I am and won’t become anyone else’s idea of what they think I ‘should’ be.

I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that! So try to stomp on me, just try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed. And if that makes me a bitch ,so be it.. I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.

In my way of thinking (which may be a little off-balance at times), this is being your own person and you don’t have to be a bitch to be comfortable in your own skin. IN MY OPINION, being disrespectful of others makes you the bitch.

Also included in the email were these:

B = Babe

I = In

T = Total

C = Control of

H = Herself

B = Beautiful

I = Intelligent

T = Talented

C = Charming

H = Hell of a Woman

B = Beautiful

I = Individual

T = That

C = Can

H = Handle 'anything'

Although I still don’t like the word, I don’t find the above acronyms negative. Just a little brain exercise… Can you think of a positive acronym for BITCH?

Thanks for stopping by... have a great Tuesday.

P.S. Bathroom renovation is ALMOST done (*smiles*)