Yesterday, while perusing the Vine, I came across a Viner complaining about the use of the word “vagina” and that the word “vagina” was vulgar. The writer wanted to be “treated like a lady”. Apparently the use of the word “huhu”, when discussing a woman reproductive system, is more socially acceptable. What are we? Three? Are we going to call a man’s penis something like his “peepee”, so as not to offend? I think not!

Well, ladies, using the proper terms for reproductive organs, of either sex, IS being treated like a lady. Using baby terms (and frankly I never used terms like “huhu” or “peepee” when my kids were little) is insulting. It means that we don’t take ourselves seriously, and therefore don’t expect others to take us seriously either.

It’s bad enough that the word “vagina” is banned from various state House floors, and the speakers of that word are banned from speaking at all. It’s bad enough that the word “vagina” makes people nervous. But they are willing to call women “cunts”, “sluts”, “whores”, “bitches” and any other derogatory word that they can think of to put us down, so that they can feel superior. They even use the word “feminist” as if it were a slur! And we take it! We lie down and take it!

No more! No more, I say! It’s time to stand up and take back our words!

Women are sublimely capable of reclaiming these words that have been used to hurt us.

Take back the word vagina… it is the passage leads from the opening of the vulva to the uterus (womb), but the vaginal tract ends at the cervix, to be literal. From this passage greatness is born. Children pass through the vagina and into the world. Only women can do this. Only women can give birth. And doesn’t this just scorch some men’s ass??

How about the word slut? A slut is a saucy girl… and aren’t we all a bit saucy??

Whore… now there’s a word with an ugly connotation… a prostitute, right? But there was a time, when women served in the Pagan temples as prostitutes, in service to the Gods. And apparently (if you believe the talking heads on the Right side of the aisle) all men believe that all women are nothing more than prostitutes. We are all looking for the government to be our fathers/husbands/caretakers. It’s a crock of crap… but there you go. But here’s the thing… we all give something for money. Whether it’s time and effort (not always sex) or goods and services, we all have a bit of the whore in us.

A bitch for all intents and purposes is a female dog, or a servant. Really? Is that what people think? I prefer Bold, Intelligent, Talented, Creative, Happy. So when you think of me, and you think of the word “bitch”… think of those five words.

Words have power. We create the world as we see it with words. The vulgar and the sublime. It’s time to take our words back. What words would you like to take back??