If We Can't Trust Mean Girls, What Can We Trust?

Here's the thing.

Firstly, apologies, because I feel like this blog is all of a sudden getting like...serious. Ick. 

Secondly, rant time. (It's the rant that never fails, makes me want to wag my tail, when I hear it gotta wail RAAAAANNT TIMME!)

Using derogatory slang against your own sub-group is not okay. It's not. Just because you're black, it doesn't mean you get to say "nigger" stigma-free. Just because you're gay, it doesn't mean you get to say "faggot."

Now understand me. I'm not going to come up in here and give you an entire speech on censorship of language, and how some words should never be used, because no. Maybe there are times when "faggot" is the only appropriate word. I don't know.

Here's what I'm trying to say: the fact that the insult happens to include you does not make it any different from any other slur. If you want to call yourself, and ONLY yourself, a "chink" or something for whatever reason, then sure. Be my guest. 

But you don't get to decide that for other people. And you definitely don't get to be offended when other people use the same terms. It's not okay. It's a ridiculous double standard that is only perpetuating every kind of bigotry. It's creating a situation wherein it is almost impossible to think of people exclusive of their various backgrounds. 

Sometimes these words can be funny, and I'm all for humor. But when you're just casually greeting someone "hey, faggot" you're only supporting identification of people as something other than people.

Basically, to sum up: 

"Stop calling each other sluts and whores. It's only making it okay for guys to call you sluts and whores."

Tina Fey is never wrong.