Opinion Poll:
March 4, 2010
I am about to turn in my senior thesis (comps for you Carls) which is a requisite part of me getting my Bachelor’s Degree, and I’m thinking of titles. Do you think:
“No, Motherfucker, you may not call them bitches no more”:
Elaine Brown and negotiations of gendered spaces in the Black Panther Party
might be to incendiary? I need answers by friday, team.
8 Comments
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Happy Bodies 
potentially. But WW Elaine Brown Do? Probs say what needs to be said. So I think you should title it the way it needs to be titled. And I am a huge fan of this one.
God, what else would you call it? That’s beautiful.
I second nko, though I’d also straight up ask your advisor if this would fly–they’d probably give you an honest answer to at least factor into your decision.
Hmmm…I really like this title. And I got away with cursing in my comps title (though it was just “swearing, roaring and damning”), so I know it can be done. That being said, seeing “Motherfucker” right away in the title put me off a bit. Maybe you could get rid of the “no, motherfuckers” part and call it “‘You may not call them bitches no more’: Elane Brown and…”? I think that keeps the gist of the quote but leaves out the part that might put off your readers. Or you could ask Harry or Victoria, like Hal suggested.
In the end, if you think the full quote adds something to or sets an appropriate tone for your comps, go for it. If you’re just titling it this way because you like the quote (and let’s face it, it’s sweet) or to be incendiary, maybe leave out the “motherfuckers”? Basically, follow your heart, and if your heart says “motherfuckers”, leave it in. 🙂
Your last sentence is very Zen.
Thanks team! I was not expecting anyone to take this seriously. I think taking out “motherfucker” takes the whole using masculinized language to fight sexism genderfuck thing, which is kind of what I’m in to. But I worry that even asking Victoria might freak her out.
Also: WWEBD? Definitely bracelet worthy. But also, she probably would say, “fuck institutions that promote whiteness and reinscribe class divisions” so its kind of tricky question to answer.
I think the title is beautiful. I wish my comps could have such an awesome title. I also want to see a copy of it.
have had*