Forget 'slut', let's reclaim the identity 'property of Slim Shady'

[NotADood]

Slutwalk might have worked better if the walkers didn't consciously dress in "slut" costumes like bustiers and fishnets, which only entertained the logic that Toronto cop was using in the 1st place. "Slut," like rape or harassment, has nothing to do w/ clothes. If you're wearing mom jeans and a cable knit sweater, bet your bottom dollar somebody will consider you to be asking for it.

[WarmLittleDiamond90]

The most intelligent and well-articulated video I've seen on the issue of 'reclaiming' words, specifically the word 'slut'. Nice work.

[hozehd]

I'm glad some fucking cracker is self righteous enough to tell the rest of us English speakers what words are appropriate and which are not.

[rubbleofempires]

@hozehd Yes, I told you what I thought. The horror.

[AnneloesF]

I didn't know why the 'slut walk' concept and the 'reclaiming of words' idea made me feel uncomfortable, other than the fact that it was taking the spotlight away from the real issue. But now I understand that the power of 'reclaiming words' is only effective in a direct confrontation with the group that feels superiority. That made me think ( and I like thinking :) ) Well spoken!

[Queertonian]

Therefore, I think having a group of women/men/all other genders who are "not properly dressed" parading down the street and demanding to be treated fairly regardless of how they are dressed is a perfect response to the officer's comment. Power in numbers!

[Queertonian]

Ok, name it something else But I think the idea of a large group of women walking around nude or close to nude is a great one. Though I'm a gay woman and in a relationship, I happen to have an athletic body and I like to wear clothes that complement it. But I sometimes get harassed when I do it. I should be able to walk around naked and be treated like a full human being while doing it. Everyone should be able to walk around wearing whatever they want to and feel safe while doing it.

[NotADood]

@Queertonian You can turn on Showtime or browse any news stand and see nude or close to nude women. Nothing groundbreaking.

[rubbleofempires]

@sharky168 E-gangsta represent.

[AllieCaulfield]

Some good articles to read on the subject which you've probably already read: We’re Sluts, Not Feminists. Wherein my relationship with Slutwalk gets rocky. and Slutwalk: To March or Not to March. As always another wonderful commentary. I always look forward to the new videos you release. Keep it up.

[Tiger74147]

You're right about "queer" Rubble. It has most certainly not been reclaimed. In fact, despite its growth in popularity in the LGBTetc. community, I am extremely uncomfortable with the word specifically because for my entire life, it was used solely as an insult to gays in my community. It's used among homophobes to slur gays. Thus, its reclamation has failed just as you describe.

[quoidanslemondequoi]

Good one, Rubble. I've been spreading this around. Very good points, and all well said.

[BlueNote15]

Second, your hesitant use of the phrase "n-word" signifies the success of the black African diaspora in reclaiming that word. It has become a word than only people of black African descent can use with any degree of comfort or familiarity. Anyone else is automatically IDENTIFIED as a racist or bigot, and becomes an object of ridicule.

[Tiger74147]

@BlueNote15 Except among fellow racists. Nullifying your point.

[BlueNote15]

First, your goat-sacrificing medic example is not relevant to your argument. The fact that medics started to disparage goats has nothing to do with the act of naming goats. The argument itself speaks poorly of your ability to empathize with the experience that these medics go through - an experience that is all about the internalization of stress and the repression of a broad spectrum of emotion through military socialization.

[invisigoth841]

SlutWalk isn't about reclaiming or reappropriating the word slut. It's about slut-shaming and victim-blaming. I mean....arhhh, it is about the word slut. But it's not about reclaiming the word to remove the power that word has to harm. There is no word for a sexually active woman that isn't considered an insult. Fuckk I'm all messed up on painkillers, and I can't really articulate anything well. >.<

[leavingnormal88]

This is a great vid-I rarely comment on youtube, but I feel like I actually..learned something. To quote Oprah-it was an Ah-ha moment;) I was in Toronto during the slutwalk, and at the time I thought they were being facetious, or sarcastic,but glancing at their website, they do say "“Slut” is being re-appropriated." You're right, while they might reclaim the word, it doesn't "rob the word of it's power" among the oppressors. Also, the goat story worked very well in this context. Thanks for this

[OlleLindestad]

"Nigger" isn't a working example at all. White people still aren't "allowed" to say it, so it hasn't been reclaimed in the true sense; it's just been co-opted for a different kind of alienation.

[apel13]

Great video!

[ohthesovietkitsch]

I'm dubiously following the logic here - out of interest, how would you have feminists - as a group - etc deal with slurs? Not being combative - I am curious to know. I mean, would you literally just ignore them/purposefully avoid dealing discussing it? Also a bit hmm-haww about telling oppressed groups which slurs they can or can't use amongst each other (which, to me, overlaps in part with the 'reclaiming' approach). That said, re:slutwalk, I see your point.

[rubbleofempires]

@ohthesovietkitsch Dealing with slurs? Well, in the case of 'slut' I think that you can expose it's ideological foundations pretty easily. Ask what is "too much" sex? Why does that exist?Why is their a sexist double standard? Most rapes are committed by men who known to the victim. But ultimately, slurs are going to exist as long as the oppression exists so you have to combat that, otherwise new slurs will pop up. So combat the institutions and the material basis for the slurs will disappear.

[authoress1]

I didn't mind the concept of the slut walks, I understand what they're trying to do, but I believe that facts form the best defense. When you point out the statistics of children and elderly women being assaulted (neither of whom are known for wearing short skirts and spiked heels) it pretty much debunks the myth that rape victims 'had it coming' because of their suggestive dress.

[lefteyefalconeer]

Get your facts straight. The world "slut" has been reclaimed a long time ago. There's plenty of proud sluts, and that is a strong political and feminist stance that you should not be disregarding with "and it's bullshit" 30 seconds after your video started.

The word "slut" means things that those who are proud of don't think it's offensive. Your comparisons are bogus: the practical meaning of the word slut, sexual promiscuity, is something sluts are not offended of, because of different morals.

[rubbleofempires]

I said numerous times in the video that the main function of the word, the primary way it perpetuates oppression against women, has nothing to do with whether or not women are offended by it. You're response was simply to say against, 'some people aren't offended'. I know derp, that's why I addressed that in the video.

[lefteyefalconeer]

@rubbleofempires You want to be a good person, but you are not humble enough yet. You are confused. Take your time, you'll get there. And "your" not "you're", derp.

[rubbleofempires]

@lefteyefalconeer While we're correcting random shit that has nothing to do with the argument, this sentence 'The word "slut" means things that those who are proud of don't think it's offensive' is fucked up in countless ways.

[lefteyefalconeer]

@rubbleofempires It is so not. You can't compare it with the things you compare it with, and I really don't feel like explaining it to you. I feel like an idiot for posting the first comment, I'm supposed to know better than think "arguing on the internet" could ever generate anything good. All I can hope for is you will meet someone IN PERSON that will be able to explain you extensively why she/he is proud of using that word. Until that day, we are free to disagree, but since I know you have a

[rubbleofempires]

@lefteyefalconeer I meant that it is grammatically fucked up. I Should have been more specific.

[lefteyefalconeer]

@lefteyefalconeer but since I know you have a good heart, I feel sorry cause I am "pretty sure" (not 100%, of course) you are mistaken this time.

[DroidNoir]

Nicely done.

[hangonsnoop]

Not that it takes away from your point at all, but my understanding is that 'gook' originated as an ethnic slur among American soldiers during the war in the Philippines.

[rubbleofempires]

@hangonsnoop Yeah? Well, I originally thought it was Vietnam. So at least I'm getting closer.

[sgsilver]

You might be interested in the article entitled "SlutWalk is not sexual liberation" in The Guardian on May 8 by Gail Dines and Wendy Murphy.

[rubbleofempires]

@sgsilver Thanks! I'll check it out.

[rubbleofempires]

Let's also reclaim 'I've got a gun and if you scream I'll fucking kill you.' Let's not feel bad when someone says that to us, because feeling bad is bad. Let's feel good, cause that's empowering. Regardless of whether or not you're about to be shot.

[UserXer0]

once again you force me to favorite one of your videos.

[rubbleofempires]

@UserXer0 I'm a tyrant. :)

[d0llsnatch]

I don't do a slut walk, I do a slag stroll thank you very much.

[rubbleofempires]

@d0llsnatch I do the cum dumpster shuffle... PROUDLY!

[GirlonFilm1969]

They fucking purposely did the 'slut' thing to get the media in there and didn't realize that with our oversaturated pornified culture that the focus would be on the 'slut' and not what they may have intended. This is the knee-jerk individualistic reactionary bullshit that these kinds of liberals do. They don't think about the overall status of women, ALL women. This is a great video. Thanks Rubble.

[sportsportsport]

You've mentioned the Goats before?

[rubbleofempires]

@sportsportsport Yeah, I love the goats.

[sportsportsport]

@rubbleofempires Maybe you should do a piece on Scapegoats and how deluded religion is. I think they used to send out goats into the desert with their sins and the goats would perish due to dehydration and starvation.

[iremythpurr]

So yes, the initial (at least I hope as its written to be) intention of "slutwalk" has been lost. Discussion of who is to blame for sexual violence has been lost.

This is eerily reminiscent of the boobquake that happened not long ago, where women were encouraged to dress provocatively and shake their tits to prove that women's bodies don't cause natural disasters.

Why do we have to make a sexual spectacle to be acknowledged? Where is this slutwalk marching us to?

[RadicalSyndicate]

does this mean you don't want to nigger the "n" word with variablast?

[rubbleofempires]

@RadicalSyndicate :D Oh Variablast, I can't wait for someone to stab him while he tries to explain how inappropriate stabbing him is.