What do you mean by a 'Slut'??

I hope you remember that Delhi witnessed the much talked about 'Slut Walk' in July 2011.  The title had some how been toned down by adding 'Arthat Besharmi Morcha' (means Shameless Walk). I think this was necessary.  Keeping in view the societal norms, it was wise to clarify what was it all about.

It's good that technology is being used to garner support for a common cause.  It's technology which is spreading word far and wide.  But, we must try and customize things as per our society, our cultural sensitivity.

Although I support this or any cause which talks of a good social change.  But in the same breath, I don't think the word 'SLUT' had anything to do with it.

As you know that it started in Canada, where a police officer said in a speech to university students "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." It was surely unfair on this man's part to make such a comment, as he put the whole blame on the girl who doesn't dress appropriately.

What is the appropriate dress?

Isn't it different for different countries?  Forget about countries.  Even within a country like India, where the urban- rural divide is so huge that we cannot bring out a uniform code.  Now this whole issue gives birth to  a few questions.

Secondly the use of the word 'slut' doesn't hold the same meaning here in India.  It's meaning and perception is derogatory and could have been avoided.

Having said that, i checked the meaning and am writing my perception of the word also.

"A promiscuous female is sometimes pejoratively called a slut, while a promiscuous male is glamorized with names such as 'stud', 'ladies' man', etc"

Do you see the contrast? I'm sure you do!  This is the first reason why 'slut' could have been avoided.  The fight could have been on not being looked down upon by the society, in case a woman chooses to have intimate consensual relationship with men.   

My perception of the word 'Slut' -  was a 'prostitute'.  I'm sure many readers would agree that if they didn't check up the dictionary, they would believe that slut means a prostitute. 

For this reason as well, the word must have been avoided.  Because, even a prostitute is in a profession.  No girl can be in such a profession out of choice, rather most often than not, she would be forced to sell her body for money, which may be needed by her family.  So before carrying placards or making your body a canvas to write "SLUT" on it, it's better to think about it first.  Are you not insulting another set of women, in order to achieve your goal?

Thirdly, what I've understood of the the whole scenario is that "slut' word has been used to first soften down the meaning, by making it a slang.  What purpose does it solve, I wonder?  We all know how the word 'bitch' has lost its derogatory tone in last 10 years or so.  It was shocking for me 2 years back to hear two giggling teenager girls calling 'bitch' to each other.  We now know, it doesn't hurt that much.

Are we trying to do the same to "slut"? Can you find any reason? let me know!

Fourthly, I read the views of an author that, the shock which is intended by using such a word in our conservative society is intentional.  It's a rebellion of the social nature.  When you want to shock your people, you do it by doing something weird.  Remember that young girl of India, who paraded in her undergarments to the police station to report about her in-laws who were harassing her? 

Somehow, it didn't shock me.  It kind of left me thinking that a little more indigenisation  could have been done to the word 'slut' for this walk against the social evil of blaming the victim as the catalyst of the crime thrust upon her.

I support the cause wholeheartedly.  And I wish that this article may be read when this event is organized in other places in India.  If possible, pl share it.

RESTLESS