Bitch By: Beverly Gross

In Bitch, Beverly Gross explains how the word bitch is used in society.  She illustrates this point by having many definitions of the word bitch showing that is demeaning, but concludes by showing a way to escape its negative connotation.  Throughout the text the word bitch is shown as a demeaning word and "A word used by men who are threatened by women." (pg 78)  Gross explains that this threat- being called something- is everywhere and for women it is being called a bitch.  The word bitch defined by Chapman was called a ball buster.  "n. Somone who saps or destroys masculinity." "Ball-whacker" (pg79)  Someone who saps or destroys masculinity?  This demonstrates the point that men wish to be dominant in society and if something demotes their "manhood" it is rightful to call that thing a bitch.  Gross shows that the word bitch is an ultimate weapon men have to humiliate women, but Gross also shows a way to conquer this ultimate weapon men have. ""I enjoy expressing myself"" is the key to defusing the power of bitch to fetter and subdue." (pg48)   It's as simple as that, just say that one has the freedom as men do; to speak what’s on one's mind.  Beverly Gross goes through a tedious list of definitions of the word bitch just to illustrate demeaning and how incorrect it is to call women “bitches.”

I enjoyed this reading because it went through an endless list for the word bitch.  It is tedious to read definition after definition, because it is so repetitive, but it gets the point across.  That it may be tiresome for women to keep hearing the word bitch over and over again and it does not matter to women what that definition means to that man.  I grew up in Catholic school and the belief was if one named something demeaning it loses its beauty.  So calling a woman a bitch would be considered a high act of disrespect.  Also I learned that if one names something one has power over it.  For instance, what if I called someone a fairy to insult them and a group joined in with me.  Wouldn’t that man or woman lose their self esteem; become powerless?  I believe so.  The world should be a place where one can freely express themselves and not be insulted for speaking their mind.  Gross shows this very well in her work, Bitch.