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Read other letters about this article
I'm revolted by the people here who are defending the use of this slur against women. It is exactly like calling a black person a "nigger," or a Jew (as I am) a "kike," or a gay man a "faggot," or so on. Words have meaning, and there is no doubt that these particular slurs are meant as expressions of hate of the worst sort.
Some letter writers here have pointed out that just as black people have attempted to subvert the slur "nigger" by taking it as their own, women should do the same with the word "cunt." However, two things. First, plenty of black people are appalled that other blacks use that word and are actively trying to discourage its use, and second, if you're not black and you call a black person that word, be ready for a less than friendly response. Just like members of ethnic groups can mock themselves but non-members can't, neither can people from other groups use slurs without consequence.
The idiot in the photo wearing the "I love country music" shirt represents the worst, most base traits of people. Ignorance, intolerance, and indifference. In this country, those are traits of the rightwing. The right, as embodied by the GOP, exploits the worst in people for their own purposes. If you look back at the history of talk radio, for example, you'll find that from Father Coughlin through Rush Limbaugh, the radio hatemongers have been rightwingers. If fascism ever comes to this country, it will be their fans, and idiots like that guy with the shirt, who comprise the new shock troops.
The GOP's base is in the South, so it is an unfortunate coincidence that country music fans are conflated with the most intolerant sectors of our society. Or, maybe it's not a coincidence. That is a subject for another day.
