presentation by Melody Thiessen

Origins/Definitions

Slut, Whore, & Bitch

are used:

• To Shame

• To Dismiss

• To Control

But also for:

• Familiarity

• Comedy

• Empowerment

IT DEPENDS ON:

• Context

• Intent

• Audience

Common Usage

Shame.Dismiss.Control.

Shame.Dismiss.Control.

Familiarity.Comedy.Empowerment.

Familiarity.Comedy.Empowerment.

Context.Intent.Audience.

Some interesting findings from the survey:

• Middle class participants did not find ANY of the words themselves offensive, even those used against them.

• Those in poverty found several of the words offensive, because they had bad experiences with them.

• No one felt that any of the words should be banned or removed from the dictionary.