The Bad B*tch Syndrome: Time for a Change

“Bitch bad, woman good
Lady better, they misunderstood
(Im killin these bitches)
Uh, tell em
Bitch bad, woman good
Lady better, they misunderstood
They misunderstood
(Im killin these bitches)”

Lupe Fiasco brought to light an interesting African American propensity—the infamous “bad bitch.” If you are wondering what a “bad bitch” is, I will explain it to you. But before I do, recognize that reality t.v. stars like Erica Mena from Love & Hip-Hop and Draya Michelle from Basketball Wives are considered “bad bitches.” I wrote about Draya previously.Honestly, I hate investigating why people are ignorant. And make no mistakes about it, this term is ignorant. However, I must dig into why Black women themselves refer to one another as “bad bitches.” Beyonce is a world-class singer, actress, and performer, yet she is notoriously called a “bad bitch.” As a 30-something, wife and mother, does Mrs. Knowles-Carter want to be known as a “bad bitch.” I doubt it. She may play that role for the cameras and the public, but she has enough sense and intelligence to recognize the power of those words. Yes, “bad bitch” is a powerful phrase.

Admittedly, I do favor the term “bad.” Not “bad” in a negative connotation, rather “bad” like how Michael Jackson implied in hit single. “Bad.”

Because I’m Bad, I’m Bad-
Come On
(Bad Bad-Really, Really Bad)
You Know I’m Bad, I’m Bad-
You Know It
(Bad Bad-Really, Really Bad)
You Know I’m Bad, I’m Bad-
Come On, You Know
(Bad Bad-Really, Really Bad)
And The Whole World Has To
Answer Right Now
Just To Tell You Once Again,
Who’s Bad . . .

If you want a clear example of a bad chick, read about Letitia James—the first African American woman to be elected to citywide office in New York City. As a Howard University Law school graduate, she epitomizes a “bad chick.”

Here’s my opinion of what bad should mean. A woman that’s “bad “is a woman that recognizes her self-worth. Not only does she recognize her worth, but she demands that everyone else does too.

Furthermore, a woman that’s “bad” is about her business—whatever that business may be. Although she may be about her business, she recognizes that she needs God, family, and love. She lives to love. Practically-speaking, she is consistent in her efforts. She consistently keeps the house clean. She consistently keeps the clothes clean and pressed. She consistently keeps food in the refrigerator and cabinets. She knows how to cook and doesn’t mind cooking for her loved ones. She works hard in every aspect of her life. And if she doesn’t know something, she is willing to learn. She’s fully aware of the stereotypes about women of color particularly Black women, and she purposefully ignores them all.

A bad woman is never complacent. She’s always looking for new opportunities to improve. She is seeking to serve others. Her servitude is one of her greatest gifts. Her servitude may vary, but it’s obvious. She’s giving advice to those in need. She’s volunteering to wash the dishes. She’s buying clothes for children in need. She’s has a giving heart. She is a spitting image of her creator.

Regardless of her occupation, she is bad. She is working towards becoming an expert in her field. She’s never content with a single source of income. She’s reading books, listening to podcasts, and attending conferences. She is adding certifications and degrees to her credentials. She takes notes during church sermons. She takes time to reflect on her goals, vision, and purpose. If she’s an accountant, she’s helping her friends and relatives understand complicated tax laws that could save them thousands of dollars. If she’s an attorney, she’s doing pro bono work to help the homeless and elderly. If she’s a teacher, she’s connecting with problematic children at a level unseen and supporting these students in various ways.

What society gets wrong about bad women is that they are not bitches. The word “bitch” is not a term of endearment. I acknowledge the cool thing to do in modern society is to take a negative, hurtful word and use it to mitigate the word’s former power. It doesn’t work. “Nigger” or “nigga” will always be derogatory, and so will the term “bitch.” Adding bad as a modifier to it doesn’t change it’s true meaning.

Finally, a bad woman recognizes her beauty—intrinsically and extrinsically. She works hard to keep her weight down and to live healthy. She’s responsible for her past, present, and future. She’s working on her relationship with God. She’s working on her career choices and vocation. She’s working on her spirit of generosity by volunteering and giving back to the community. She saves and invests money. She aims for excellence in her life. That doesn’t make her perfect. She’s knows she’s not perfect, but that doesn’t stop her from trying.

That’s a bad chick—a bad woman. By being bad, she’s good. By being bad, she’s great. She’s a reflection of the excellence that she derived from—heaven. I invite everyone to embrace this woman. I invite everyone to address this woman by her true name—queen. Instead of conforming to the ignorance of society, let’s refute these terms that we allow our queens to be mislabeled as.

Follow me on Twitter: @Blackscholaronl or email me at Leonard.Wilson.Jr@gmail.com.