Even though I didn’t mean it as demeaning toward women, it still speaks to the larger cultural stereotype that women are weaker than men, you and I both know that to be complete bullshit.

Historically men may appear physically stronger but that isn’t the only form of strength. Just think about how your typical guy handles a cold.

He’s so focused on being a tough guy in life he doesn’t learn to experience and manage vulnerability, like being sick.

Lisa’s correction led to a discussion about women’s empowerment, how women can stand in their own power and create a conversation around how women can create a shift in the culture.

It ended with us declaring where and how we can take action to create the change that is wanted and needed.

Great way to start the day if you ask me.

What you just read is what I posted on Facebook. Then the comments started coming in and the conversation grew. 

I was reminded of a quote attributed to Betty White regarding the sensitivity of testicles and ability of a vagina to take a pounding. 

According to Snopes Betty White never said that. The quote actually originated with comedian Sheng Wang and here’s how she said it.

A friend said to me, “Hey you need to grow a pair. Grow a pair, Bro.” It’s when someone calls you weak, but they associate it with a lack of testicles. Which is weird, because testicles are the most sensitive things in the world. If you suddenly just grew a pair, you’d be a lot more vulnerable. If you want to be tough, you should lose a pair. If you want to be real tough, you should grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding.

Then I received a comment from my Facebook friend Laura Mzhickteno,

Dude! I’m proud to call myself a pussy. Pussies are strong and magical as fuck. Actually, they are basically indestructible. Human beings literally come out of them and then they continue to function how they were intended. Not to mentions the insane amount of nerve endings, self-cleaning properties, and the ability to create so much fucking pleasure. You want to call me a pussy? I’ll say thank you. Because honestly, I couldn’t imagine a better compliment.

That shifted the conversation to the importance of reclaiming the word instead of vilifying it. 

When you consider how much of our public discourse includes the fear of certain language, I think it misses this important point.

You can’t use that word because someone may be, “offended.” 

I get how emotionally charged certain words are because of their historical context. 

In this instance, my choice to use the word “pussy” openly led to further dialogue and changed my view of how the word could be used.

With that, I proudly declare myself a Pussy.