“Don’t hit like a wimp. Put some power behind it.”
I glance up from my punching bag to see a man I don’t know, standing before me. He isn’t my coach, yet his intense gaze is hard to ignore as he delivers a powerful strike to the bag, demonstrating the technique I want to master. The bag rattles with the impact.
Out of the corner of my eye, I observe him, eager to learn how to unleash my full strength. Yet, I feel discomfort at the word “wimp,” which briefly amplifies my sense of vulnerability. I lower my gloved hands and feel the bag still vibrating from his punch.
Before I became a mother, I hadn’t given much thought to how the word “pussy” is used as a derogatory term. My perspective shifted dramatically after giving birth to my daughter, making me acutely aware of subtle insults and their implications.
After all, I pushed a small human through that anatomical structure, and guess what? It’s not broken. I could likely do it again if I chose to. I don’t mean to brag, but my body is truly remarkable. All bodies are, honestly. It’s hard to find a more resilient part of human anatomy than the female reproductive system, save for perhaps the uterus.
Though the roots of the term are complex, “pussy” usually refers to female genitalia—both internal and external. When used in a derogatory manner, it implies weakness. This rhetorical strategy, known as synecdoche, uses a part to represent the whole. When that part is equated with powerlessness, it suggests that women, as a whole, are similarly diminished.
It’s essential to remember that anatomy doesn’t define gender; not all women have vaginas, and not all men are without them. The pejorative use of “pussy” seeks to undermine all women, regardless of their anatomy.
Giving birth is one of the most formidable feats a body can accomplish. I’ve heard people say women are “voting with their vaginas,” which sounds pretty challenging too, but I digress. The experience of bringing a child into the world requires immense strength, endurance, and love.
In that moment of giving birth, I felt an unparalleled sense of empowerment. It was a moment where the impossible became possible through sheer willpower and biological capability. On that same day, over 300,000 women around the globe were achieving this incredible feat—many of them also using their vaginas to do so.
Remarkable.
I don’t equate motherhood with womanhood, nor do I want to diminish the various ways one can become a mother. Let’s put childbirth aside for now; pussies are meant to serve whatever purpose their owners choose. And believe me, none of those purposes are about weakness. They’re about pain, love, passion, and strength.
Ironically, it’s the extraordinary power of female anatomy that faces constant attempts to belittle and control it—from the way women in labor are portrayed to discussions about what parts of women’s bodies are appropriate to show. It’s a world where women’s rights over their bodies are continuously challenged, and where the concepts of sexual purity can lead to devastating consequences.
Women’s empowerment is consistently contested, and maintaining that strength demands persistence. For me, this all crystallizes around that seemingly trivial insult: “Don’t be a wuss.”
Now, I’m not here to disparage male anatomy; after all, I appreciate the penis as well. While it might not hold a candle to the complexity of female anatomy, it’s still pretty impressive. Rather than diminishing anyone else, I want to celebrate the extraordinary capabilities of all our bodies. We don’t need to undermine others to claim our own strength.
So, I shake off the man’s words, turning my focus back to the punching bag. I raise my gloves and throw punches with renewed determination. My hair clings to my sweaty back as I repeat my rhythm: One, two, slip, two, body, body. A fingernail breaks in my glove, but I keep going.
I remind myself: Swing harder. Hit. Hit with the strength of a woman.
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Summary: This article redefines the term “pussy,” arguing against its derogatory usage and highlighting the strength and resilience of female anatomy. It emphasizes that the capabilities of all bodies should be celebrated without belittling others. The author reflects on personal experiences of motherhood and empowerment, ultimately calling for a reclamation of strength.