That B**ch. Mood AF!

We’re all entitled to choose the meaning of the words we speak.

Words hurt if you give them power. So many words have dual meanings that fall on opposite ends of the spectrum. As we continue to celebrate Women’s history month by pushing the envelope, let’s explore the lighthearted and empowering side of the double edged sword that is the word B**ch. It took many days of listening to extensive amounts of City Girls, Trina, and Lil’ Kim tracks to get into the correct mindset for this.

I personally don’t have any issues with the word depending on the context and the deliverer. That’s where the poison stems from in my opinion. Words take on the meaning we choose to convey. So if you’re using it in a negative connotation how else am I supposed to take it? If you’re being degrading and condescending, how else am I going perceive it? Wasn’t Jezebel just a name before the story in the bible?

We’ve come to a place in society where every woman has her own definition of feminism and women’s empowerment. So why can’t we take back the word and our power at the same time? Yes, if you read RikkieJ’s piece, I’m sure you identify with the negative aspects of this word, but have you ever felt the intoxicating feeling of walking into a room and being “that b**ch”? You know that feeling of knowing you came to dominate? It’s the moment that your inner goddess rises to the occasion and you’re the boss.

We all know that when a man takes control he gets to be labeled a boss, but women are dubbed a b**ch. How is that fair? So let’s flip the meaning like the infamous baddest b**ch Katrina Laverne Taylor a.k.a. Trina. One of her most infamous songs “Da Baddest B**ch” empowers women to take control and be in charge. Something that women typically don’t feel confident doing. We can thank pioneers like Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown and Trina for dominating lady rap and keeping up with the men.

Now, when we use the word colloquially as friends, is it really any different from saying that’s my dog? Both words mean dog? I mean words literally have multiple meanings for this purpose. I have friends that use it and I have friends that don’t. Look at the dynamic success of the digital brand that is “Betches”; we’ve come to a place where we own the word and it is what we want it to be.

I own it and I embrace it. I define this word by someone that is commanding and in control. Someone who can’t be shamed for their actions and doesn’t allow themselves to be pigeonholed by society’s standards for women. So I challenge you to define this word by your own standards. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, but don’t judge those who do, because words are subject to everyone’s own interpretation.

Be your own b**ch!