Anyways, words are words are words. They can be powerful or powerless, depending on who’s speaking and who’s listening. I personally think negativity should be powerless. Though sure, people can make me feel bad by saying bad things to me, I don’t think I should feel bad. And anyways, it’s not the words themselves that matter, it’s the opinions of the people behind those words that matter, that’s what’s in the weight of a word. So if the weight is light, why not use bad words? They can be humorous, even, they can be friendly, they can even be formed into compliments. And besides, the meanings of words change over time. Language is a living thing, it is far from static, it is constantly flowing and changing as accepted meanings are changing. If there were dictionaries from Shakespeare’s time, you’d find that they are completely different than those from our time. Even many of the same words are completely different.

I don’t think the “n” word should be used at all, the “c” word is acceptable in erotica, but bitch is like the “n” word – it’s really not acceptable anywhere, in my opinion, except maybe in reference to dogs. I mean, if we’re going to have unacceptable words to use in this world, regardless of their context, I would rank bitch right up there.

As for owning and re-claiming the word, it can be used as a show of power by women as in “i’m a bitch because i no longer care”. Much is the same as the n-word being used by african-americans, but in either case I do agree that it’s a false statement of empowerment.

The last couple of years (including some in which I was still married), I’ve spent the day alone or with my kids. No biggie. I’m used to it. This year I may actually go watch a movie by myself or perhaps have lunch with another lonesome friend. Cupid will NOT get to me. Nope.