Mack writes: << That word. It reeks. I only use it to show complete disdain for some who I deem deserve it. Of course different words have different meanings to different people. >>
This is another example of how Britain and the US are two countries divided by a common language. I read a lot of novels by British and Irish writers and they tend to use the c word the way American writers use "the" or "and." It has neither the shock value nor the horrific misogynistic overtones that it has in the US. And Lori writes: << I'm personally all for "taking back" the word cunt, as many of us have taken back words like dyke, queer, etc. -- afterall, you only give a word power if you react to it negatively >> I agree. I think the first time I was exposed to this idea was in the book "Soul on Ice," which was assigned reading in high school. Later on, by the late '80s/early '90s, "queer" and "faggot" were everywhere. And Mack adds: << I have found that some people of color will use the n word with one another but are offended when used by those outside of their world. I can understand that as I have no problem with a homosexual friend calling me a faggot but will gladly punch anyone else that says it, to me. >> So true. I am very comfortable with the f and q words, but the n and c words make me cringe. One of my best friends is an African-American woman who was called both names by a former friend of hers during an angry meltdown last spring. (He is white, an architect and was redesigning her just-purchased 300 year-old house.) They had had a 30-year friendship, but that one outburst killed it. She is probably the kindest human being I know and a very forgiving person, but for her, like anyone else, some lines just don't get crossed. She gave him the walking papers he so richly deserved. (Which thrilled her husband and me because we could never stand the cruel and arrogant bastard!) On a different but somewhat related topic, I usually get a kick out of Michael Musto's Village Voice column. This week's column had the following bit about Rosie O'Donnell and her son Parker: ""Rosie said that when her son Parker was asked by friends why he has two mommies, he unflinchingly replied, "Gaybever heard of it?" How cool is that kid? (The rest of the column is at http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0228/musto.php) --Bob
