In reading "The BITCH Manifesto" by Joreen, I was forced to think about the word. More specifically I was forced to think about how it is used in context with our society today.
This article was originally written in 1969 during the second wave of feminism, and because of that it is definitely a great source in regards to better understanding the feminist like Joreen and the people involved with her liberation group.
According to Joreen, "What is disturbing about a Bitch is that she is androgynous. She incorporates within herself qualities traditionally defined as 'masculine' as well as 'feminine'." Basically she is comparing a bitch to a female who shows characteristics of a man.
I feel as if this term today holds so many different connotations. A bitch today could be a "hot girl" if you hear it from a man while he gazes at her and thinks about her with her clothes off. And on that note, women can also call their female friends by that name as a term of endearment. The name is more prominently used to describe a women that is cranky or rude; someone that has a bad attitude. (Which I feel has direct correlation with the women described being a 'bitch' by Joreen)
On the flip side of things a male is often referred to as a bitch by his male friends when he is not acting according to his gender role.
It is clear that the word is not politically correct when used in any sense other than to denote a female dog.
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