Offensive? Probably. There are people reading the very words on this paper and cringing at the very thought of seeing the word bastard thrown around so comfortably.
People say these things to one another with the intent of malice and harm. Words can carry a lot of gravity. In the midst of anger one can spout some pretty hurtful things. Heck, maybe you mean it.
Regardless, the point is, it’s always what is meant, the emotional backing behind what is said, that ultimately matters when one says such negatively connotated words like nigga or pussy.
It’s the intent behind the words, not just the words itself.
Ban Bossy argues a certain premise when it comes to words and what it means for not only an individual, but society in the big scheme of things.
It argues that “words like bossy send a message: don’t raise your hand or speak up.”
The reasoning behind this is that boys at a young age are supposedly taught to be assertive and embrace leadership roles, but that the reverse is true for girls and that it’s frowned upon.
Therefore, girls who develop these “masculine” tendencies will not be seen as leaders, but rather as “bossy,” or not up to par with what society envisions or expects from them.
But is it the term “bossy” that conveys this, or is the norm that people have placed upon these young girls.
Words like bossy don’t reflect this ideal, it’s just the ideal itself that conveys this perception. Bossy is just a word. Bossy doesn’t scream out those condescending judgments toward women, again, it’s just a word.
So when Ban Bossy presents this case, it shouldn’t ban bossy, it should attempt or yearn to ban the misconceptions that are placed on girls with leadership or assertive qualities.
If things are heard in passing, such as someone calling someone out as a douchebag in a seemingness harmless manner, then it doesn’t mean anything.
Some people are sensitive toward words. It’s best to recognize that looking at and rationalizing where the words stem from and how what could have been something that is seen in a negative context, really might not sound so bad after all.
Again, what ticks you, what gets to you is your deal. Not everybody is accepting of these words being a type of norm. But it’s reality. People call each other asses everyday. But the aforementioned words in this article, and words heard in public verbatum mean absolutely nothing if not put to heart.
See, because there’s no meaning behind any of it. Those “negative” words have as much meaning behind them as the hair behind your hand.
Obviously if the person next to you calls you an asshole and decks you in the face. Well, he probably means it. And, well, depending what you did, he or she could be justified in doing so.
Now, this doesn’t give you the liberty to call people names and say “oh, yeah, man, totally didn’t mean it.”
Yeah, you’re probably an asshole if you are that person. See, asshole means something in this regard. Catching on, eh?
Just always remember when you catch a whiff of these words in the public realm, stand back. Analyze it. What’s it mean? Is there true emotion behind the word or is it just silly banter that is spewing out of a person’s mouth.
Figure out the intent, and let that be your weapon.
