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Friday, October 19, 2007

To Bitch or Not to Bitch

posted by on October 19 at 15:59 PM

Our on-line endorsement for Seattle School Board in District 2 (north of the Montlake cut around Greenlake) reads like this:

…the incumbents—the two who chose to run again, anyway—are likely to get massacred this November. That’s a lucky break for one challenger, Sherry Carr, who the SECB thinks is an overrated PTSA mom who stumbled on our basic questions about high-profile issues like intelligent design and student free speech. Incumbent Darlene Flynn is kind of a bruiser, but that’s exactly why we think she needs to stay on the board. Flynn is a stickler with budgets and hyper about racial disparities and most importantly she’s willing to bring a necessary brusqueness to the board’s retarded bimonthly meetings. We want change on the board too, but we also think the board would benefit from an anchor like Flynn. Vote Flynn.

I’m highlighting this endorsement for two reasons.

1) Of all the races for school board, this one is paramount. The board must retain Flynn. There’s a throw-the-bums-out mood when it comes to school board right now (thanks to the no-win school closure situation). But Flynn doesn’t deserve to be booted (and by the way, her opponent, Sherry Carr, stands by the closures, just as Flynn does.)

Meanwhile, Flynn is largely responsible for some key successes in recent years: Shoring up the once-shaky-budget ($30 million deficit to a $20 million reserve); hiring a focused district Academic Chief, Carla Santorno; and getting rid of Raj Manhas and hiring a new super, Maria Goodloe-Johnson.

Flynn has helped set the board right, and voters would jeopardize the momentum of reform and undermine the board’s ability to keep a sharp focus on fixing racial disparities in the district if they recklessly booted her.

2. The print endorsement reads like this:

…the incumbents—the two who chose to run again, anyway—are likely to get massacred this November. That’s a lucky break for one challenger, Sherry Carr, who the SECB thinks is an overrated PTSA mom who stumbled on our basic questions about high-profile issues like intelligent design and student free speech. Incumbent Darlene Flynn is kind of a bitch, but that’s exactly why we think she needs to stay on the board. Flynn is a stickler with budgets and hyper about racial disparities and most importantly she’s willing to bring a necessary brusqueness to the board’s retarded bimonthly meetings. We want change on the board too, but we also think the board would benefit from an anchor like Flynn. Vote Flynn.

I got several outraged e-mails and calls (from Flynn supporters over that original endorsement.)

Here’s a sample:

I just finished reading your endorsement of School Board Director Darlene Flynn with dismay and outrage! With friends like this, who needs enemies? How is it possible, in this day and age, that grown folks who identify themselves as progressives would think that it is okay (or funny?) to call a highly accomplished, articulate, professional, and duly elected public official a ‘bitch’? What’s next? ‘Nappy headed ho?’ Director Flynn is a black woman who has worked hard for the last 29 years serving this city and her community. The value of Darlene’s vocal advocacy for women’s rights, access to educational opportunity, strong neighborhoods and civil liberties was trivialized and diminished with your use of one word ‘bitch’. I am sad, that as much progress as women have made, strong, focused, intelligent and vocal women are still plastered with this label. If words didn’t matter, there would be no reason to publish your newspaper. And, careless words hurt much more than a stick ever would. Calling a woman a bitch is designed to put uppity women back in their place and has a chilling effect on women’s voices. When I was growing up, to be called a bitch was ‘fightin’ words.’ To women of my generation it is not funny or cute to be called a bitch. It is deeply insulting. And, I don’t want the women of the next generation to be trained that this is the norm. You need to print an apology — not just to Darlene but to all of the women in this community!

So, I decided to change it on-line from “bitch” to “bruiser.”

The SECB intended the word “bitch” in that “you bet she is you bastards” kind of way. Flynn stands up for what’s right and gets it done. Not to get all fancy, but it’s a Third Wave feminist reclamation thing—with its roots going all the way back to the Patti Smith 1970s and emerging full blown in the Riot Grrl ’90s—that’s pretty standard. Heck, there’s a feminist magazine that’s been out for ten years now called Bitch.

Additionally, as opposed to other thorny “reclamation” terms like “faggot” and “nigger,” “bitch” is actually a descriptive term. That is, we were saying Flynn is a bad ass. “Faggot” and “nigger” are simply derogatory nouns that don’t come with any sort of descriptive judgment other than pure hatred (in the literal sense) or pure irony (in the reclamation sense.) Bitch actually assigns some intelligible info. In a good way.

So, why change it to “bruiser?”

Because it means the same thing really, without wading into the convoluted sexist and racist minefield that paralyzes politics in this city. In short, I want Flynn to win. The “bitch” reference could have helped her opponents (who are playing the “bitch” card in a literal way on the campaign trail); and ultimately, as I said, it was an easy fix.

Moreover, I’m a white news editor at what’s perceived to be an elitist white paper. And while I’d like to stand by a brand of politics that’s okay calling a tough-as-nails female politician a “bitch,” I understand that it was an insensitive call to a lot people who support Flynn.

I support Flynn as well. And the bottom line is: You should vote for her.

RSS icon Comments

1

Bitch is always a compliment. Even when it's not.

Posted by Mr. Poe | October 19, 2007 4:00 PM
2

The only reason I'm even considering voting for her (this year I'm tossing out incumbents) is because she is a B.tch.

It's a good thing.

Posted by Will in Seattle | October 19, 2007 4:13 PM
3

Changing that word is such a little bitch move.

I kid, I kid!

Posted by Walling Ford | October 19, 2007 4:17 PM
4

There sure are some whiny bitches on the campaign trail.

Posted by Greg | October 19, 2007 4:18 PM
5

Things could have been worse.

Posted by tunamelt cuntfeed | October 19, 2007 4:19 PM
6

It does show that ECB is amenable to change - even something she's done. That's a good thing, bitch or not.

Personally I only ever use the term as a derogatory one when some female in an SUV cuts me off while I'm crossing in a marked but uncontrolled crosswalk. If it's a guy I use the term shithead. I suppose in the case cited, shithead would do for both genders.

Posted by chas Redmond | October 19, 2007 4:23 PM
7

Sir, you offend me. I'll have you know my mother died in a horrible bruiser-related accident.

Posted by tsm | October 19, 2007 4:26 PM
8

One thing I don't understand about this post is what Josh meant when he said that bitch is a descriptive term while the others are not. Isn't a bitch a female dog? How does that convey/describe bad-assedness?

Posted by ?? | October 19, 2007 4:34 PM
9

Wow. I can't believe you even had to think about this.

"Bitch" is a derogatory term.

And that "Third Wave feminist reclamation" excuse really doesn't wash -- most intelligent adult women don't buy into it, "Bitch" the magazine notwithstanding. Your attempt to distinguish "bitch" from "nigger" and "faggot" is also unconvincing. "Bitch actually assigns some intelligible info"? What man doesn't smirk when he reads this?

You wouldn't refer to a black man or woman as a "nigger" on this site. Treat "bitch" the same way. Most women are justifiably offended by it.

Posted by Irena | October 19, 2007 4:39 PM
10

The acceptable substitute that conveys all of the positive connotations of "bitch" with none of the negative ones, unless you are a boob, is "broad". As in "tough broad", "mouthy broad", etc.

Posted by Fnarf | October 19, 2007 5:31 PM
11

The proper word for situations like this is "broad".

Posted by Fnarf | October 19, 2007 5:34 PM
12

Fucking slog.

Posted by Fnarf | October 19, 2007 5:35 PM
13

Flynn is an African American. However, in the third sentence of the "response" you received from the outraged Flynn supporter, he/she used the word "articulate". Now, I'm not scheduled to teach any training sessions on race relations or race sensitivity, but where I come from, if you call a brother or sister "articulate" thems is fighting words. If you call them "bitch" then you are family.

Posted by Survivor | October 19, 2007 5:37 PM
14

Consult your Thesaurus for some fancy descriptive terms if you must. Why use base, demeaning, loaded words to describe a woman. Lazy, weak, lame and unprofessional.

Posted by homage to me | October 19, 2007 5:42 PM
15

Sorry, Fnarf, but "Broad" is outdated, and also carries negative connotations. Notice that women never use it.

If you want to convey that she is smart or tough, say she is smart or tough. It's that simple.

Posted by Irena | October 19, 2007 5:51 PM
16

would you please use more descriptive words than slang, especially if you are describing a person- it seems that the stranger does this too often, it would be best if you did not- thanks

Posted by robert | October 19, 2007 6:33 PM
17

Sorry, Irena, I've heard PLENTY of women use the term "broad" as a descriptive term.

And why can't we all appreciate that CONTEXT is more important than VOCABULARY. Words shouldn't hurt anyone...ideas conveyed by words certainly can. Ideas are conveyed by words in context.

Bitch about words in context all you want...but the sooner we can get past demonizing words themselves the quicker we end a completely ineffective path towards social justice.

pg

Now, what's the feminine equivalent of "mensch"?

Posted by pgreyy | October 19, 2007 10:49 PM
18

Sorry, Irena, I've heard PLENTY of women use the term "broad" as a descriptive term.

And why can't we all appreciate that CONTEXT is more important than VOCABULARY. Words shouldn't hurt anyone...ideas conveyed by words certainly can. Ideas are conveyed by words in context.

Bitch about words in context all you want...but the sooner we can get past demonizing words themselves the quicker we end a completely ineffective path towards social justice.

pg

Now, what's the feminine equivalent of "mensch"?

Posted by pgreyy | October 19, 2007 10:50 PM
19

To Editor@the Stranger Control Board:

I feel deep concern, if not outrage, when I see the use of the word 'bitch' to describe a woman who has worked tirelessly for over 25 years to create a better world for all of us. I applaud your endorsement of School Board Director Darlene Flynn, but I am saddened by the insensitivity that you demonstrated by using the 'b-word' (jokingly?) to describe her. The word 'bitch' is a word of abuse meant
to demean and dehumanize. A pretty unconscious choice of words, in my opinion.

What are you telling young women (AND young men) when you use this language?
I implore you to take your power and your responsibility more seriously. Be conscious of the pain using a word loaded with decades of negativity can have, both on Darlene's generation and on the unconscious youth who will follow your model.

I have appreciated the Stranger for it's progressive leanings and it's efforts to think "out of the box". I am realizing that that is not enough. I need to know the editors are awake to the impact of their words and aware of their responsibility in influencing future generations.
In other words, CONSCIOUS.

Is the Stranger committed to being a CONSCIOUS newspaper?

Waking up in Seattle,
Lou Ann

Posted by Lou Ann | October 20, 2007 1:11 AM
20

Josh, you just fucking don't get it. If someone used the term "Jew" to describe you, you'd go apeshit. Yet it's not a perjorative. Just a fact.

The "fact" that Darlene, or Hillary, or Maria Cantwell, or any number of highly articulate, accomplished women happen to be something other than Marilyn Monroe-types-just-around-to-make-people-comfortable, happen also to be strong and demanding does NOT make them a "bitch".

Knock off the attempt to be edgy and you might get taken more seriously in journalism. Until you recognize the difference, you're just an angry, unsatisfied mysogonist.

Posted by Pissed Off Bruiser | October 20, 2007 7:33 AM
21

Pissed Off Bruiser @ 20,

What the Fuck, honey? He changed it. That's what the whole post was about. Why are you yelling at him for admitting a mistake and doing what you wanted him to do?

Posted by Karen | October 20, 2007 8:28 AM
22

Gotta go with #14 on this.

Posted by old timer | October 20, 2007 8:58 AM
23

no matter what you call her, she's wrong for the board and the stranger has no business opining on these races based on a couple of interviews and some superficial observation from the cheap seats.

You got Flynn-flammed - too charmed by her considerable charisma and smarts to look for what really matters - the ability to put your issues before your ego, and work with people (including the ones you don't like) to advance the work.

And if you followed the board at all, you'd know that Darlene may be able to talk a good game about what's in the budget, and can vote it up or down, but had and has nothing to do with putting it together, or with scrabbling back from a deficit to a surplus.

If any board member can take credit for that, it's Michael DeBell, who has been on the Finance Committee for the last 2 years and has constructive relationships with the district staff (who ARE the ones who can take credit for the budget and surplus.)

I keep wanting to think you're not an idiot, Josh, but you just won't let me.

Posted by come on, josh | October 20, 2007 12:16 PM
24

pgreyy @18,

Yep, and in this context (Darlene Flynn is kind of a bitch, but...), there were plenty of negative connotations attached. That's why Josh had to qualify it with "but..."

Look, this is a no-brainer. If you're trying to pay a woman a compliment--a woman you don't know, in a public forum--don't call her a bitch. Why is that so difficult to understand?

Posted by Irena | October 20, 2007 12:17 PM
25

Which one of your oxen was gored #23? I hate to confuse you with facts but you should get your history straight. Michael DeBell was elected only two years ago. Much of the "hard" work had been done by then. The board members before him (which included Darlene Flynn who served on the budget committee) had to make the hard policy decisions and hard program budget cuts to get our school district out of the $35 million mess.

I always like healthy debate but I appreciate intellectual honesty even more. Under your analysis, we should have never thrown the previous board out four years ago because they didn't "put anything together".

However, they were responsible because they didn't exercise the vigorous oversight we depend on them to provide. Director Flynn got her reputation for being tough on some staff for doing what we "don't" pay her for, holding the district accountable for providing quality services to ALL of our children. If getting the board to agree unanamously to providing Pathways funding for kids who aren't passing the WASL and bringing $500,000 in new grant funding to strengthen poor performing schools isn't enough to prove effectiveness, then, I don't know what else she could do.

Posted by Board Watcher | October 21, 2007 1:45 PM
26

The damage is already done, but since you're apologizing by the word, it might add up to an effective apology that reframes who Darlene really is: not Brita Butler-Wall.

And besides, the real bitch in the worst possible context is David Della, so go micromanage his image for a while, ok?

Posted by WenG | October 21, 2007 7:35 PM
27

It blows my mind that you endorse Flynn when Sally Soriano has done the real work on the school board not Darlene Flynn.

It's comical that you say Darlene has been focused on racial equity saying she "fixing racial disparities" when she supported the racist school closures which were not necessary as you state (with no explanation to back it up). Even the Seattle Medium, which is the black paper, didn't endorse Darlene stating she "has done very little to earn the support of our community, or advance the cause of Black children." They did however endorse Sally who opposed the school closures because the process left out the community and was a back door deal that closed great public schools like MLK which was quickly sold to the Bush school (the wealthy private school next door).

And how can you give Darlene all the credit and call her "largely responsible for some key successes in recent years: Shoring up the once-shaky-budget ($30 million deficit to a $20 million reserve); hiring a focused district Academic Chief, Carla Santorno; and getting rid of Raj Manhas and hiring a new super, Maria Goodloe-Johnson." when Sally also served on this board and shared these successes. Further more Sally voted to fire Raj Manhas years ago (who had no education background and was an engineer) while Darlene voted to keep Raj as the superintendent until he fucked things up enough that the whole board eventually decided to give him the boot.

Darlene talks a good talk but she doesn't walk the walk.

Vote for Sally Soriano

Posted by brusier with a cause | October 29, 2007 7:32 PM

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