Reclaiming
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- For the neopagan organization of this name, see Reclaiming (neopaganism)
Linguistics
To reclaim something is the political process and strategy consisting in re-evaluating and re-appropriating terms that in the dominant culture are used to oppress minorities. Similar to the 'pride' movements, this process differs because of its provocative elements: derogatory terms come to acquire positive meaning in the tight circle of the literati, while they keep their negative connotations outside of it. Michel Foucault discusses this idea as a 'reverse discourse' in his History of Sexuality: Volume I.The use of these terms by people who are not members of that group tends to remain viewed as strongly derogatory.
Reclaimed words include
- 'Nigger' by the black movementFor example, the band N.W.A., or the titles of several of Richard Pryor's recordings.
- 'Bitch', 'cunt' and 'feminazi' by the feminist movement
- 'Slut', and 'slag' by promiscuous, sexual liberation, polygamous and polyamorous affiliates.
- 'Dyke', 'poof', 'queer', and 'faggot' or 'fag' by the LGBT movementsSee Queer Nation for several relevant examples
- 'Tranny' by the transgender and transsexual rights movements
- 'Crip' and 'gimp' by people with disabilities
- 'Redneck' by southern political movements, especially conservative movements
- 'Jesus freak' by Christians, and especially Christian teens
- 'Papist' by Roman Catholics.
See also
Notes
External links
- [www.directaction.org - stories, resources, and historical background of Reclaiming]
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