In Bitch, by Beverly Gross, the message conveyed is that bitch is a derogatory term used to suppress women.  Throughout the piece Gross gives several definitions of the word.  In general, all of the definitions state that a bitch is a woman who is selfish, mean, or deceiving.    Gross describes the word as a means to prevent women from expressing themselves if it threatens the dominance of men.  “Bitch, the curse and concept, exists to insure male potency and female submissiveness” (80).   Although in Gross’s opinion bitch is used to primarily prevent women from having power over men it is possible to thrive off it.  Madonna is the example used of a person who became famous because of being controversial.  Madonna explained she enjoyed expressing herself.  “Madonna has made her fortune by exploiting criticism.  Her career has skyrocketed with the media’s charges of obscenity and sacrilege; she seems to embrace the bitch label with the same eager opportunism” (84).

I thought this piece overall was interesting.  I’m don’t really agree with Gross that the main use of the word is intended to suppress women (I may have used the word today to describe a certain evil chemistry lab partner.)  Not because I felt threatened, just because I’ve never really met anyone that mean before.  I feel her arguments are still relevant today.  American culture now is still similar to a few decades ago.