Context vs. Intent

          Hey folks recently I've gotten into some funny debate about the word "cooperation".  Now I use it in the true definition of the word.  So let me set this story up.  One night while hanging out with some friends we decide to head to Brooklyn & get some drinks.  I meet some other friends out there and we just have a general convo. I just happen to mention I went to a nice party earlier in the week in which the women were "cooperative."  My homegirl takes offense as I'm describing the situation & I give her the "WTF" face.  Apparently she thinks I use the word "cooperation" to mean that the women are very sexually cooperative.  I'm thinking to myself "Why did you take it there?"  She tells me that the word is very subjective & can be seen as something vile.  Now when I ask my fellas they are like "She is buggin'!" or "Yo she's too sensitive!"  So naturally I went to the place where all good arguments or debates go to really shine: Facebook.  As you know I'm not shy when it comes to debating so I asked my Facebook fam if the word is offensive to women.  I found that some women did agree with my homegirl, other saw my point of view as being no big deal.


            So is it the fact that cooperation is a bad word like submit or obey.  As any man knows these types of words offend women, especially in this politically correct/neo-feminism era. I was told by a lovely young woman that the word coopersation brings on thoughts of submission.  I disagreed in the aspect of, is the pre-concieved notion of submission come from a woman's hatred of being more agreeable?  Does it deal with subconscious anger issues?  I ask this because why would your imagination take it to that extreme? Does a woman think that low of me that if I say she's "cooperative" it implies that she's fast.  I think the word brings about mixed feelings.  Some ladies it doesn't affect them cause they understand the context I'm using it in. Is it my intent to create some mysoginistic word.. 

          
          My intention is to simply use the word cooperation in it's right context.  Nothing deeper than that.  I would probably use the word more in the presence of my male friends who undststand things like that.  I think certain women take male language out of context thinking they know what it means.  I remember watching an episode of The Cosby Show in which Theo & Cockroach were discussing females.  They happen to refer to them by using the adjective "burgers".  Now Theo's sister Denise overheard this conversation & was totally offended.  In order to give her argument some validation she urges her sister Vanessa that this word is totally offensive.  Vanessa only begins to agree due to pressure put on by Denise,  Eventually the siblings start to argue & it's settled by the queen feminist ala Claire Huxtable.  Claire deems the word as sexist & demeaning and Theo is put to shame along with Cockroach.  Now yes to call a woman a "burger" is a stretch., but ask yourself this "Why does Denise care that Theo calls a woman a "burger"? "  Is it cause she really cares about him maturing as a man?  Could it be the fact that no one ever called her a "burger" so she's a bit pissed that he's using this term?  Who knows, but what's for certain is that she's pissed about this word "burger".  In the end why do you feel so important to worry about the words I use?  I can use any word in any context to express my intentions.

            
            So this made me wonder, is it due to the fact of me being a black man.  I ask cause psychologically some women don't accept a strong, straight-forward, guy with a very precise, sharp vocabulary.  I know in some areas we are not expected to even get coopersation or any leeway from our women in a relationhip.  Why is that?  I think some of y'all think I'm reaching, but think "What if I was white, using the word cooperation?"  In the end it comes down to how you view yourself.  Your issues with my vocabulary let me know that you have some underlying issues that you need to address.  My way of speaking will not personally hold you back.  If you think that, then you have been listening to the wrong damn folks.  Maybe she just wants to argue....who the hell knows????