"assertive, unapologetic, demanding, intimidating…in control"

When you think of a "bitch", what do you think of? Is it positive or negative? A person or a dog? Me? This quote from Margaret Cho in Bitchfest defines a bitch in a positive light, and I'd have to say that I agree with her 100%. What's wrong with any of those things, and are they not accurate depictions of someone we might call a bitch? "Assertive, unapologetic, demanding, intimidating." It all trickles down into the larger concept of power and achieving/maintaining control. A bitch has power, whether it is self-imposed or it is given by way of birth, class, career, titles, etc. Think Malvolio, Twelfth Night: "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." It's true, isn't it, with both greatness and bitchiness?

So, why do we despise bitches? Why do we say "bitch" in such a nasty, malicious, (jealous?) tone of voice? Do we hate them because they are what we are not? Let's look at the qualities opposing that of the bitch: meek, apologetic, lacking confidence, mouse-like, downtrodden. The anti-bitch might seem virtuous and noble, resisting the desire to seize power, but there truly is no honor, no virtue, no glory or praise in being walked over. Perhaps the positive conception of the bitch is a highly feministic one, but it's true, if only you can get past the blinders ("Grr my boss is such a bitch, she gave me X, Y, Z to do and then plopped her fat bitchy ass down in that leather chair in the massive corner office and Facebooked all day.) and realize that we all want to achieve the qualities and the power of that bitch.

-.-

So, what provoked such random ramblings? HangPROUD, of course! At 12:00 a.m., HP updates articles with a piece entitled "Embracing the Bitch" (or some such title), which discusses the qualities of the bitch and how we ought to embrace such qualities and in doing so, our futures as women with power/in high powered positions. "In the Skin Your In" (that's the short headline), discussing the effects of media and various emaciated celebrities on young girls of today also will be featured.

xox.