AIBU to start a thread discussing the word Cunt?

[FeegleFion]

I know before I start, that there will be a lot of you who really disagree with using the word Cunt.

I want to start a discussion about it, as I personally, feel that using the word in a positive manner is to be encouraged.

I am from Glasgow and I use/ have always used the word as a term of affection "You're a good wee cunt you".

I wanted to start this thread because I have just come across the following on a Women's Rights forum and I really hope to change negative opinion and association:

CUNT

Considered to be the most vile, obscene and vulgar 'swear word' in the English language, the word 'Cunt' in the vernacular means vagina.
As if that is not indication enough why it is considered so vile in the vagina-hating Patriarchy, the word itself was originally a term of respect and reverence for a powerful, spiritually enlightened woman.

'Cunt' derives from 'Kunda' or 'Cunti', the Oriental Great Goddess.
She was the Great Yoni of the Universe, where all life came from and to where all life returned for renewal.

From this same word came the words country, kin and kind.

So, for your delectation, rumination and reasoned discussion, I give you, the word Cunt discuss.

[mignonette]

God forbid we should stop discussing and debating because somebody, somewhere has been there and done that.......How fucking patronising and arrogant.....

[FeegleFion]

Thanks for your input Sparkly it interests me when someone says it's not a word they use but it's inoffensive to them. As it is a word which usually evokes such a strong response.

[FeegleFion]

Exactly, mignonette. I don't understand that type of reasoning.

[Sheshelob]

We are mere padawan feminists, falling into the same traps our sage obi wan ke-yoni fems did before we were born.

[mignonette]

One of the reasons I enjoy being in nurse education (I mentor young students) is seeing students becoming aware of feminism and it's history. The same when I did a history degree for pleasure. It is lovely to hear young women and men looking at their own lives and experiences in the light of new things they have learned.

Yes, I've heard a lot of the debates and points of discussion many a time. Yes, I've had experiences they are yet to have. But to shut a debate down because of that? To use my experiences to belittle and patronise?

Ugh

[Sheshelob]

Exactly, mignonette.

Who knows - we might even get somewhere this time. It is all part of the process, part of which is about accepting that things change down the generations. It doesn't mean we are lesser fems.

Unless there was a feminist assault course that I missed out on, where I could earn my feminist stripes.

I'd fail, obviously, not wanting to mess up my lovely hair and stuff...

[THERhubarb]

This thread is now officially depressing.

Women are slagging off other women all because of the word 'cunt', as if there aren't more important things to get our knickers in a twist about. And am I the only one who finds it just so bloody depressing when women start to use feminism against each other in some kind of point scoring exercise?

I had no idea that being a feminist was considered so insulting that the word feminism is now being bandied about as an insult.

I don't give a shit how old you all are, who read what, where you come from, what fucking march you went on or how educated you think you are, when a thread disintegrates into personal slagging off then most of those posters have lost all credibility.

This passive aggressive shit is tedious.

Shame because it could have been a good debate about the usage of the word cunt. Pity so many women have used it as an opportunity to turn against each other.

[Pagwatch]

I decided in the 70s that platforms were ridiculous but walked through Topshop yesterday and there they all are again.
It's almost as if my experience and choice hasn't defined footwear.

You crazy kids

[curlew]

I think there is another serious point here. Battles don't stay won. And while there has obviously been significant legislative change in my lifetime (sorry- is that playing the "crone" card? ) it seems to me that attitudinal change is glacially slow. And if we aren't vigilant, it will start going backwards. So while reclaiming the word "cunt" might seem trivial, we have to be very careful that we don't forget our history. Younger women (sorry, crone card again) have no idea of the levels of misogyny and viciousness that once surrounded the word. And no, dick and cock do not have the same resonance- it seems to me to be disingenuous to say they are at all comparable. "Cock sucker" and "Mother fucker" maybe once did- but these expressions described actions, rather than simply a body part.

[Pagwatch]

[FeegleFion]

Actually, I'm a mentor too. I work to try to help women (and men) empower themselves.

I am the first to admit I'm not a hardcore feminist, but that's because I'm still learning.

What is wrong with learning and refreshing?

[curlew]

"This thread is now officially depressing."

This thread is now officially confusing. Could somebody please tell me why people are getting upset? I don't understand!

[mrsjay]

I had no idea that being a feminist was considered so insulting that the word feminism is now being bandied about as an insult.

maybe feminism will start replacing the word cunt

[FeegleFion]

I agree THERhubarb I'm really quite sad at how this is going.

Who needs men to oppress women when the very women I should be looking to for guidance are doing it for them?

[FeegleFion]

curlew
"I think there is another serious point here. Battles don't stay won. And while there has obviously been significant legislative change in my lifetime (sorry- is that playing the "crone" card? ) it seems to me that attitudinal change is glacially slow. And if we aren't vigilant, it will start going backwards. So while reclaiming the word "cunt" might seem trivial, we have to be very careful that we don't forget our history. Younger women (sorry, crone card again) have no idea of the levels of misogyny and viciousness that once surrounded the word. And no, dick and cock do not have the same resonance- it seems to me to be disingenuous to say they are at all comparable. "Cock sucker" and "Mother fucker" maybe once did- but these expressions described actions, rather than simply a body part"

An excellent post, thank you curlew

[FeegleFion]

mrsjay

[THERhubarb]

curlew I have just read it all from where I left last night. Fighting over who knows the origins of the word 'cunt', over who has read Chaucer and who hasn't, who went to which feminism march, who makes a better feminist, the spelling of the word 'woman versus womyn'.

I can smell the bullshit from here of a small group of woman who are trying to score points above each other.

It's a shame like I say because inbetween there are some good points made by posters like yourself, but those good points are lost in the in-fighting amongst other posters.

When women argue about who makes the better feminist, part of me wants to stick two fingers up at feminism and flounce off.

[Pagwatch]

I was enjoying the thread tbh.

I use cunt. I think using it in many ways diminishes its power. And I am fucking old so I do have context.

But I like listening to the thoughts of others, especially when expressed with wit and vigour and intelligence and that is often the case on MN and certainly has been in evidence here.
I am always open to changing my mind, reassessing my views.

'urgh, it's vile. You are dim and don't get it' doesn't really do that.

[FeegleFion]

Pagwatch
"I decided in the 70s that platforms were ridiculous but walked through Topshop yesterday and there they all are again.
It's almost as if my experience and choice hasn't defined footwear."

"You crazy kids "

How very dare TS go against your decision Pag Brilliant!

[mrsjay]

Actually the whole competitive feminism on this site really gets on my wick I never ever join in on discussions about it, feminism is for all it shouldnt be put into little boxes and teams

[FeegleFion]

Actually, I've reassessed my views.

There are some great posters here, with excellent information and experience to offer.

We don't all agree on the use of the word Cunt but the posts are enjoyable and informative and exactly what I was hoping for when I started this thread.

[WorraLiberty]

Morning you bunch of cunts

I must say it's an interesting thread.

The Chaucer argument was a bit random though

[curlew]

But there have always been women who are scared of feminism and try to derail it by squabbling at the margins. The real debate is hard and challenging and makes the world shift beneath your feet. I don't blame people who don't want to engage with it. The truth is that women have a lot to lose by fighting for equality. They have more to gain- but sometimes it's hard to see beyond the short term loss.

[THERhubarb]

mrsjay yes that.

Pagwatch and that. Posters who come onto a thread, say their bit about how vile it all this and then announce they are going to hide it????

I don't want my vag used as an insult. Men seem to embrace the usage of their genitals as insults, in fact they seem rather proud of it. My vag is more than just somewhere to shove a dick, it gave birth to two beautiful children and was badly torn in the process. I take great offence at someone using a derogative term for it and turning it into an insult.

So if you want to reclaim the word cunt then go ahead. But if someone calls me a cunt I might just have to give them a Glaswegian kiss (since they also seen to be fond of this particular endearment in Glasgow too)

[mrsjay]

I might just have to give them a Glaswegian kiss (since they also seen to be fond of this particular endearment in Glasgow too)

usually went hand in hand with YA CUNT