The power of a word

Profanity has no place in public, even if it is used in an effort to remove the power of the word to cause hurt. The Federal Communications Commission has included "c**t" among the seven words banned from use on television and radio, and journalistic style guides dictate that we not even print it in this editorial. While many of the words on this list have become common and weak in use, c**t continues to be a divisive and hurtful word. It is specifically harmful to women, as it is strongly derogatory about female sexuality.

We should not be afraid of the word and entirely ban its use, however. Attempts to reinvest it with a positive connotation are worthwhile, but that does not mean that it should be loosely bantered about in the hope that one day it will become acceptable and funny. Chalking and postering "c**t" around campus are not appropriate because the word still has the ability to insult women. The students who did these chalkings were not wrong in their goals, but their methods were far from ideal. If a student was upset enough that she complained, a more respectful and better method could have been found to advertise the event. The shock method used in the campus chalkings is only appropriate at closed events, such as the "Vagina Monologues," where an attendee will have an idea of what she is getting into, and will be surrounded by a crowd sympathetic to the cause.

Those who wish to defuse the word, but want to reach out to a greater public than the audiences at the "Vagina Monologues," have many options available, some of which can reach just as many people. A well-written viewpoint, an intellectual discussion, a serious debate over the meaning and use of the word, and a play are all decent forums in which to discuss the word, use the word, and ultimately render it harmless. Cite the word from its use by James Joyce, or place it alongside an image of Judy Chicago's female-centered art.

It is only through the use of the word in appropriate venues and contexts that those who wish to defuse its negative connotations will be successful.