The P-Word

If you're talking about a vagina or a cat, the p-word is fine. Here's when it's not: "Stop being a p-word," "That guy's such a p-word," or "What a p-word!" You see, here's what's wrong with using the p-word like this. What are synonyms that one would use in place of the p-word in these 3 examples? Maybe weakling or wimp. That's why it's not OK.

I am not a member of the "weaker" sex. My vagina's quite fierce in fact. I'd challenge any man to deal with the things my p-word can throw at me at the least convenient times...then call me weak to my face. In fact, I'd argue that women are the tougher sex when it comes to the real trials of life. Yes, brace yourself, I'm going to quote from the gospel now.

In "Steel Magnolias" when Julia Roberts' character is euthanized, her dad can't bear to witness watching her death. But her mom holds her hand through it and bravely says later, "I was there when that wonderful soul drifted into this world, and I was there when she drifted out." But the dad, the two macho brothers, and the husband couldn't bear to watch her die--these guys that had spent the entire movie shooting things and hunting. Who's the p-word now? Like Sally Fields says in the movie, "Men are supposed to be made of steel or something..." HA!

There are some fairly advanced, liberated thinkers out there still dropping the p-word (like Jon Stewart...shame on you). Here's how I feel about it: if you wouldn't say the n-word, then don't say the p-word. They are both derogatory, offensive, and insulting. The p-word is really just the sexist version of racism's n-word. Because sexism is the "invisible" 'ism, I guess that's why we still hear the p-word everyday. 

Ladies, it's our job to call men (and women) on this each time we hear it. Language creates reality. It's not OK with me for people to slander my group and call us wimps--especially when we're not. My favorite response is: "My p-word's not weak. Why don't you call him a weenie?" Thank you very much!