Do you know what the term "scorned" means?

After talking with a few men who seem halted by my title and displayed facial gesters that tell me they are not too sure if they should touch my novel, A Woman Scorn'd--let alone read it, I'm left wondering how many of us really understand what the term scorned means. I mean aside from the infamous quote, "hell has no fury like a woman scorned." What fury has any person who is viciously beaten, abused mentally and physically, sexually molested and made to feel like their self-worth is invaluable?

In a commentary discussion where I was aired in Baltimore on WEAA (98.9FM)on July 10th, the topic that was aligned with my novel's related issue, domestic violence was rap music. I was asked to discuss the impact harsh and degrading words can have on us individually. I mean it is enough that we were called niggas and made to feel like our race was worthless but to hear it on a daily basis in a rap song, and what is it with women now calling each other the "b's, hoes, and wifey. Come on, yall know what I'm talking about. We now have books with these degrading titles. What messages are we delivering to our youth who more or less must become our leaders. Hopefully, they will turn these negatives into positives.

On Monday, I aired on Dr. Maxine's Thompson show www.artistfirst.com where we discussed domestic violence and the aftermath. Be sure to check out the site for the archive taping of this show so you can listen in and validate your issues and point of view.

Now back to scorned, In your opinion what determines this emotion/behavior in any given situation where a relationship fails us? I'd like to hear some views on this. If there is anyone who has been through this and is here to talk about it, please feel free to speak openly on the subject if you can do so without reliving it. I feel we must bring awareness to this as it isn't going away. Perhaps we can enlighten someone, uplift and inspire someone. Let's talk about it.