Bill to ban the B-word heard at State House – Boston Herald

A bill to outlaw the B-word the term for a female dog that is commonly used to slander women is being slammed on both ends of the political spectrum as a case of government overreach and censorship.

While I detest the use of the B-word and the N-word and the word fag, etc., I love the Constitution more and question the constitutionality of bills like this, said Arline Isaacson, co-chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus. The concern is specifically about the right to free speech, including speech that I hate.

Its a very, very slippery slope and at the end of the slippery slope is the anti-Websters, the dictionary of words we can never use, conservative political consultant Chip Jones told the Herald. We continually replace the right and responsibility of people to defend themselves from physical and emotional harm with government intervention. When we replace an individuals right or responsibility to defend themselves, we weaken people and society.

The bill, along with about 70 others, went before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary for a hearing Tuesday at the State House. House and Senate Chairs Rep. Claire Cronin and Sen. Jamie Eldridge did not respond to requests for comment.

The legislation titled An Act regarding the use of offensive words, states: A person who uses the word bitch directed at another person to accost, annoy, degrade or demean the other person shall be considered to be a disorderly person. Penalties for a disorderly conduct conviction include a $150 fine for a first offense and $200 or 6 months in prison for subsequent offenses.

Rep. Daniel Hunt(D-Dorchester) told the Herald Monday that he filed the measure upon request from a constituent, who he did not identify. He took to Twitter late Tuesday afternoon to defend his decision.

One of the responsibilities of all Representatives is to serve as a conduit for direct petitions from our constituents to the General Court. Its a long-held tradition that gives every Massachusetts resident a voice inside the halls of the State House and a chance to raise their personal interests before the legislature, Hunt wrote. While this specific instance may amuse some and alarm others, it remains a important process for self-representation.

Jones argued that the legislation would not pass constitutional muster and speaks to a national trend of political correctness. He also questioned whether the measure reflects gender equity.

If were going to ban the word bitch, why are we only protecting 51% of the population from having their feelings hurt, Jones posed. Why are my feelings less important than a womans? And the answer is, men have become second class citizens. Toxic masculinity. People dont like men much anymore.

Jones emphasized that it is absolutely unacceptable to call a woman the B-word and that he believes men and women are equal, but I also know that men and women are not equivalent and that the differences between men and women make the world a better place.

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Bill to ban the B-word heard at State House - Boston Herald