Bitch - Gross

                       In Bitch by Beverly Gross, she points to different definitions of the word bitch. She notes that bitch is an effective word that comes to mind in many situations yet it seems to be indefinable. Gross then goes to show the range of this word. She states the most common use of the word bitch as derogatory terms. One point she states that in all the dictionaries she had referenced the word with that “there is no classifiable thing as a bitch, only a label produced by the act of name-calling.” (80) Bitch at its core refers to a whore but as time progressed it turned into more of a description of an angry woman. In the more contemporary use the angry women ideal transformed to women in power. People like Madonna accepted people referred to her as a bitch which allowed the work to become more of a status symbol. Gross mentions multiple instances where famous people use the word bitch as a synonym for a pushy women. This points to the fact that bitch is becoming related to a pushy female boss image. Although bitch appears to be a purely derogatory term in some circles of life it has been transformed into a compliment. In the African-American slag Gross claims that bitch can symbolize “a women that no longer needs sweet-talk” (83) saying that a well-known friend or significant other may be addressed as bitch. She finishes her piece by linking peoples’ embracing the derogatory words which leads to the defusing of hurtful terms.
            I found this piece to be slightly dry but raises a key component of language: the evolution of the spoken word.  Beverly Gross does a great job at pointing key events/situations where the bitch has strong and undefined meaning. I agree with her final statement that by turning a hurtful or racist term for your advantage someday that word may change its meaning and be ineffective. Although the article is pro-feminism there is a tone of respect and constraint of slander and cheap blows. There is a more mature and non-opinionated view on Bitch. This article was done well but wasn’t very entertaining but I believe she wasn’t necessarily looking for attention but rather pointing to a small aspect of language.