Can someone explain why the word "bitch" is empowering?

[a la izquierda]

I was reading Nance Greggs' recent journal and the subject of sexism was of course all over the place. A sig line of one of the commenters was "bitches get stuff done". I'm not calling this particular person out (forgot their screen name and don't want to navigate back to look for it). A few weeks ago, Tina Fey called Hillary Clinton a "bitch", but in a positive, joking manner (for Fey anyway, not for me)--bitches, presumably, get things done is what she said if I recall. I've been called a bitch-perhaps it's been meant as a compliment...I never took it that way.

I'm a woman. I'm unabashedly voting for Obama. I've had to explain to my sister how I, as a woman, could not be supporting Hillary Clinton. My mother, who normally votes Republican and who will vote for Obama if he is the candidate, was curious about why I supported him. I consider myself a feminist, to a degree. I'm certainly not as militant as some of my colleagues (I'm a PhD candidate in History and two of my good friends are women's historians--I am not). Do I think there's sexism in this race, sure. Do I think the word bitch is appropriate, particularly in a race where so many people cry "sexism"? Not so much.
Can someone explain this hypocrisy to me?
Sorry for the grammatical nightmare...I'm still not fully caffeinated.

[trumad]

1. Didn't you get the meme?

Bitch is the new Black!

[nashville_brook]

11. you mean, the "meme-o" -- i likee!

[EFerrari]

2. It's not hypocrisy but an appropriation / subversion

of the language of oppression. If you've advanced to candidacy, you're probably familiar with that idea.

[King Coal]

3. I guess it implies that they are mean enough to stand up to men.

But it really means they are a dog. I don't like it.

[0007]

4. No worse than schmuck is my estimation.

A bitch is a bitch

A schmuck is a schmuck

.....and bitch is bad?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

9. I agree.

Now, can we discuss soemthing really and truly demeaning, such as Darfur...

[onehandle]

5. I don't believe that the Clinton campaign is using the word.

Supporters can say anything they want. On both sides.

DU is a prime example. The stupid hurts.

[amihol]

6. Agree on that!

[Ordr]

7. It's more of an opinion about an individual.

Some people consider her to be a bitch. Yes, they mean it as a pejorative. Does that mean they hate all women or consider women to be a lesser species? Of course not. Does that word, when directed to an individual, hurt women in general? No.

[siligut]

8. Think of a mother protecting her child.

Whatever it takes, with a vengeance.

[DinahMoeHum]

10. Some turn the word into an acronym. . .

"Boys, I'm Taking Charge Here"

:evilgrin:

Honestly, though, when one hears that word so many times, it practically becomes an endearment.

:evilfrown:

[EFerrari]

12. I like that!

:evilgrin:

eta: And, it illustrates my post #2.