Taking it back? I don't want it.

Over the last month or so, there has been a lot of talk about the "Slut Walk" which began in Toronto as a response to a Toronto Police Officer using the word in a conversation about how to stay safe and avoid rape. Women, and some men, were outraged at the implication that victims of sexual assault "brought it on themselves", and spoke out against the victim-blaming. There was a mass organization over social media (i.e. Facebook) to march in protest of misogyny, double standards in sexuality, and taking back the world 'slut.' From the SlutWalk Torno official website, "And whether dished out as a serious indictment of one’s character or merely as a flippant insult, the intent behind the word is always to wound, so we’re taking it back. “Slut” is being re-appropriated."

I like the intent...mostly. I do not think men, or anyone, should be given an excuse to sexually assault anyone. There is no reason that justifies rape or the abuse of another human being...it's not as though you can claim self defense. And it is certainly true that women receive a double standard for expressing their sexuality, more so than men do(Feel free to spend some time around any college dorm for examples).

That having been said...as a 24 year old heterosexual woman who has sex from time to time, I have to say I am not interested in this term 'slut'. I don't think it should apply only to females, but I also don't think it should be embraced and encouraged. There are many words that are said simply to wound people, and in general we should avoid hate speak. However, that doesn't mean we should dive in and behave in a way that the word implies.

Should we also take back the word "obese"? Or "lazy"? Don't even get me started on the word "asshole", because we should probably not be taking that back at all.

Being promiscuous and irresponsible with your sex-related behaviors is in the extreme dangerous (STD's) and at the very least shows that you lack self control and good decision making skills. Certainly men are just as capable of being sluts, and should also CUT IT OUT. If you're not comfortable with being called out on your negative behavior, stop doing it.

And with that, I'm going to go take back the word "alcoholic".