In honor of International Womens Day, 2012

I recently finished reading Cunt: A Declaration of Independence by Inga Musico. I picked it up off the shelf of the bookstore because I feel like all this sitting at home is making my brain rot and I needed a good, non-fiction book that wasn't a biography. And how could I pass up reading a book with a title like that?

I just want to start off by saying that every woman, biological or not, should read this book. Inga immediately started the book off by letting every reader know just exactly what the word cunt meant before it was hijacked and turned into an insult. Believe it or not, it was a term of respect for women back before patriarchal society took over. THEN, if that isn't enough, the term vagina came to be. Vagina meaning a sheath. You know, for a sword. So thanks for that, ruling men of the world. She covered menstruation, abortion, sex/self love, cunt health, rape, acrimony between women, self protection, and so much more. There is also a huge section in the back called "The Cunt-lovin' Guide" with books, movies, music, stores, and websites with all the information you could possibly want to know.

This book made me realize a lot of things. A. LOT. OF. THINGS. I don't usually have a new years resolution because I think that all year long you should try to be better and do better things without an excuse. But, as the result of reading this book and a little bit of reflection I have a couple life resolutions. Here is my list:

-I will not hate a woman for no reason any longer.
-I will not use the terms slut or whore or any similar term to describe a woman and will not stand for people who think it is okay.
-I will go out of my way to support women authors, musicians, artists, business owners, etc.
-I will continue to educate myself in the hopes that I can educate my friends, future friends, and children/children's children/children's children's children about respect for women, biological or not.

If you think I'm some crazy feminist after reading this, then fine. But, that's not really what this is about. It's about standing in solidarity with one another. Seriously, read this book. You will be amazed by some of the things she says.