I know an intelligent and talented twenty-six year old American woman who earns her living performing with a popular and successful music ensemble. She plays multiple instruments, writes wonderful songs, and sings everything from opera to rap. She is great at impersonating characters and voices; I only hint here at her many amazing talents.
     She has several elder female relatives who were outstanding and innovative in their chosen fields, and she is very, very serious about the topic of 'feminism'. 
     Each time I have seen her perform on stage, in a break between songs she takes the microphone by herself and enunciates a half dozen or more times what Americans euphemistically refer to as the 'F word' (a four letter word that starts with 'f' and ands with 'k' and refers to the sexual act). None of her fellow performers join her in this particular speech; she always performs her 'F word' interlude as a solo.
     I am not a prude, and I have been using the 'F word' in my vulgar speech, and sometimes in my writing, since I was an adolescent. As far as I'm concerned, in the use of language, anything goes. In the USA we all learn a child's rhyme which says: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."
     Perhaps someone can clue me in, or help me out here, but I personally find it rather disappointing that a grown and well-educated woman would consider speaking the 'F word' repeatedly as part of a public music performance to be a liberating feminist act.  
     When I was nine years old I got into trouble with my parents for writing the 'F word' as a graffitti in some public places. I suppose that some people don't find an opportunity to expess their artistic freedom until later in life.
     It seems to me that it would appear less awkward and be more amusing if she were to invite the entire audience to chant the 'F word' along with her. Then we all could become a little more liberated. Seriously.
     Comments, anyone?

-- Gregory Fegel Close