Do you consider yourself a DIVA? What is that any way?

Some women actually have words for the letters that spell DIVA.  To me a Diva is a woman who is sure about herself, comfortable with her life and willing to offer herself to others and maintain a level of respect.  She gives respect to others and that’s why she receives it so well.  There might be a bit of arrogance but it’s deserved because of her comfort level with herself. I think she’s usually a good looking woman with every hair in place and wears the right accessories.  Her clothes are the best and she wears them well.  She walks in confidence and no matter what anyone says about her, she can handle it with class.  She is successful and works hard to get what she wants and doesn’t let anyone or anything get in her way.  That mmight be where the arrogance comes in.  But it’s arrogance in a good way.  So I think being a DIVA is a good thing.

I remember when Susan Lucci was called the Diva of daytime with her character, Erica Cane. She commanded attention when she walked in the room, there was always a little mystery surrounding her, one didn’t know whether to love her or hate her, She appeared to be self serving and arrogant but a little bit vulnerable at the same time. She was an enigma. Men wanted her, women wanted to be her. That to me was the diva of the past. Today, I can’t think of anyone in particular that I would consider a Diva. I think the meaning behind the word has changed but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

I did the same exercise several weeks ago for myself. Glad to know I’m not the only one who had to look it up. But I find nothing negative!

American Heritage Dictionary – Cite This Source – Share This di·va        (dē‘və)  Pronunciation Key
n.   pl. di·vas or di·ve (-vā)
An operatic prima donna.
A very successful singer of nonoperatic music: a jazz diva.

[Italian, from Latin dīva, goddess, feminine of dīvus, god; see dyeu- in Indo-European roots.]

Online Etymology Dictionary – Cite This Source – Share This
diva
“distinguished woman singer,” 1883, from It. diva “goddess, fine lady,” from L. diva “goddess,” fem. of divus “divine (one).”

Am I a Diva?  I think to be completely honest everywoman and every man has a little DIVA in them.  I know I do.  Am I ever arrogant?  Sometimes:) I like many women have an “inner diva” and I pull her out when I feel the need to.  

I think what’s interesting is that I tend to be the one my friends look to for strength or direction when faced with a crisis—the love to ask me to get out my can of whoopass, as they say I am fearless, whereas really a lot of the time I am freaking out as much as them:)

Maybe being a DIVA is how we carry ourselves?

Great question:)

Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Madonna, great Divas for their time:)

Let’s keep the diva list going—who would you say is a diva?

Isn’t it amazing how as our society progresses and things change…that even the meaning of certain words change to suit the culture or society?  I find this very interesting and important, as we try to communicate our thoughts, opinions/views and beliefs.  To assume that we all hold the same definition of certain words and labels can and will cause much miscommunication.  With our highly media saturated society, we all have to be communication experts.  

This is why I am doing research on the definition of the meaning of DIVA.  As an internet marketer, author and speaker…using this word can mean different things to different audiences depending on their age, upbringing, culture and belief system.  Using the dictionary to find the meaning is only the first step in actually placing meaning on words.  We must also remember that dictionaries are up-dated all the time AND if you depend on Wikipedia…that definition can be questioned also depending on who placed it there.

My list of DIVAS:

Oprah, Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Madonna, Diana Carroll, Joan Collins, Elizabeth Taylor, Beverly Sills, Barbra Walters…to name a few.

I have said this before and I don’t mean anything offensive by it…in fact, I believe it is a compliment.  African American or Black women know how to be DIVAS better than Causcian women….this persona just seems to suit them better.  As a society, we accept their DIVA-ness with a positive attitude…we even admire them for it (I do!), while white women are just considered “bitches” or pushy, no-it-alls, even bullies if they act this way.  I DO believe this attitude IS changing.

I have to agree with you almostfiveo…I still cringe when I type this word…my mother and father would turn over in their graves if they knew that I even used this word anywhere in my vocabulary.  I shudder at the thought of what my mother would say or do if she read or heard me say this word.  I had to sit with a bar of soap in my mouth for 30 minutes when I was child if I swore at all….and I mean any swear word.  

I believe for our generation no matter where you grew up, whether it was an urban or rural environment certain language was just not tolerated.  I came from a rural community in up-state New York and if you called another person the “B” word…this would get you a firm beating also.  

Words and meaning, along with who can say them and who can’t is an extremely important subject and deserves to be discussed.  I won’t even open the can of worms on the “N” word.  I will never use that one in any way shape or form…it just isn’t right!  I can’t even accept hearing it from those it would hurt in the first place.

Agreed…These really are confusing times!