Auntie
What is the essence of being a bitch? I believe one's self-worth is a good measure. If it's nonexistent, you're either trampled down or busy trampling down others to compensate for it. I refuse to do either. To me, being a bitch is about having the guts to stand up for yourself, not just about being a bastard for the hell of it.
A bitch is someone who is deemed "uncomfortable" in the eyes of the establishment (a cliché, I know, but still no less true). Someone who dares to question things, someone who isn't compliant. A bitch is someone whose rebellion goes deeper and lasts longer than any teenage angst. A bitch defines herself and her own identity, and refuses to be labeled, made simple, or domesticated. A bitch has the guts to tell you the truth even if it makes you wince. A bitch has the know-how in her line of work and isn't afraid to correct others when they've made a bad job.
I'm afraid I'm all of these things, and not even ashamed of myself.
As to the "auntie" in my nick: "Auntie" came about when my mother (and other older women who think they know how people should be,) kept telling me I dressed like a little old lady. "Well," I thought. "Is that such a bad thing if it means that I dress comfortably?" Long, wide skirts that allow me to move are very comfortable, and hats prevent me from getting a migraine in the summer. I quite *like* being a little old lady. Also, I've never identified with the Mother archetype very much, I've always been quite fond of the Crone. "Auntie" sets me somewhere outside the typical patriarchal woman's cycle, hence it is a useful word to me--I reclaimed the word and made it into something positive.
As a feminist (amongst other things) I make my own choices. I also realize that being a feminist doesn't tie me into doing anything else ("to be a proper feminist, you should do this and this and this" and assorted bullshit), since it would be against the whole idea of taking your life into your own hands. For example, I'm married, but not a slave--I'm redefining marriage with my SO, the arrangements we have are definitely something people aren't used to. It certainly doesn't hurt to introduce the bizarre principle of two independent individuals having an equal relationship to the world! Especially when that equality allows you to say/hear "Get. The. Fuck. Off. That. Computer. Now. Or. I. Will. Kill. You." without offense.
Yes! I want to read more from Real Life Heartless Bitches
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