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Thread: Reclaiming Words

  1. #1
    Featured Member LilSweetVixen's Avatar
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    Default Reclaiming Words

    What do you think of minorities reclaiming mean words:

    Queer, Dyke, Bitch, Whore, Nigga, Ghetto(fab), Pagan, Heathen, Pervert, Freak, Redneck, etc

    I think it's pretty powerful to put it other in big bold letters, like DC Eagle's annual DYKE NIGHT. But then again, I think it depends, I don't know. Like I don't see the point of the word bitch, because people who use it are not assertive at all, but usually obnoxious, so it just sounds like they're admitting it.

    Also I don't see the point of reclaiming it if you're still upset when someone calls you it. Like if you say you're proud to be a bitch and then someone calls you a bitch and you get mad, and basically act it out. Hmm...

    "You have demonic genius" -Naomi Wolf
    "I very much resent it when people - maybe with good intentions or from a progressive point of view - keep telling me, 'It's their culture' ... It's like saying the culture of Massachusetts is burning witches." -Azar Nafisi


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    God/dess Rhiannon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    Wait.. "Pagan" is a mean word? I can understand how "Heathen" could be offensive in some instances, but Pagan?

    I'm certainly not offended by it.

    I've seen "Heathen" been used in mean ways, though. And I do know actually Heathens that are offended by its misuse.

  3. #3
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    Good question. My personal opinion is that if we can't all say it, then no one should say it. For example, I was raised NEVER to use the N-word, but I went to school with tons of black people who threw it around freely. But they would've had a huge problem if I'D said it. And then they had the nerve to get bitchy when I told them that *I* found it an offensive word, and since I respected them enough not to use it, then they should respect ME enough not to use it. Go figure.

    Dyke isn't necessarily offensive; I just think of it as a term for a lesbian who is more butch and less femme. I don't think Pagan is offensive either; it just refers to a polytheist, witch, etc. (someone who doesn't believe in the same G-d that Jews, Christians, and Muslims do).

    I don't mind being called pervert or redneck as long as the person saying it is being friendly. It's the adjectives which are so often attached - "sick pervert," "stupid redneck" - that are offensive, not the nouns themselves.

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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    I reclaimed this one a while ago...

    Cunt - from the Sanskrit "Kunte" or "Kunti" meaning literally "A Flowering Well"...

    you're darned right I am!

  5. #5
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    ^ Cool. Now I'll stop using "c*nt" as an insult, it's too pretty a word now.

    Now that I'm grown, I've discovered the most cutting insults are usually just a fast statement addressing a dispute or disagreement, or biting ridicule...not little slang words.

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    Featured Member Amethyst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    Regarding these:

    Queer, Dyke, Bitch, Whore, Nigga, Ghetto(fab)

    How do you "reclaim" something that wasn't yours to begin with? The words were designed by one group to degrade another group. Although I do have to admit I use the b-word from time to time - never as a "compliment" though. Always as an insult.

    As for the others, I didn't realize they were insults, especially "pagan" (I thought pagan was just a ...pagan????). I guess I can see how "redneck" could thrown at someone as an insult.

    Also I don't see the point of reclaiming it if you're still upset when someone calls you it.
    My sentiments exactly, especially when it comes to the N-word.


  7. #7
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    ^ I agree with Amethyst, there was a time when people spoke differently and some words had more weight.
    But I also like Eminem a lot and he talks about some things you only joke around about with your friends. He's also a good example of being honest in a really blunt way. You don't need to use a dumb word if you can find some clever ones to use instead.

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    Banned Blade's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    Quote Originally Posted by LilSweetVixen
    What do you think of minorities reclaiming mean words:

    Queer, Dyke, Bitch, Whore, Nigga, Ghetto(fab), Pagan, Heathen, Pervert, Freak, Redneck, etc

    I think it's pretty powerful to put it other in big bold letters, like DC Eagle's annual DYKE NIGHT. But then again, I think it depends, I don't know. Like I don't see the point of the word bitch, because people who use it are not assertive at all, but usually obnoxious, so it just sounds like they're admitting it.

    Also I don't see the point of reclaiming it if you're still upset when someone calls you it. Like if you say you're proud to be a bitch and then someone calls you a bitch and you get mad, and basically act it out. Hmm...
    Let's see the words on this list that apply to me are:REDNECK(right MAW?), Pervert, Pagan, Freak, and occassionally Heathen...
    Have I ever been insulted by them? Nope, they make up some of the core parts of my personality(much like asshole, fuckface, Evil, Arrogant, Loving, Wannabe, etc)
    Fuck I embrace them, take them into me and let the words become me instead of me becoming the word.

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    God/dess Rhiannon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    Quote Originally Posted by Amethyst
    As for the others, I didn't realize they were insults, especially "pagan" (I thought pagan was just a ...pagan????).
    That's exactly what it is. I've honestly never heard it directed as an insult towards someone. If it's an insult to some though, I've been called a LOT worse, even some that totally weren't true. Heh.

    I was thinking earlier. I know, dangerous. But, I sometimes have a problem with "Witch" being used as an insult. I don't know, but there are many other names people can use for someone who's being an arrogant bitch. Know what I mean though? When you hear someone say "She's such a Witch!" We're not all that bad.. (or are we? heh..), so I don't know why that term would be applied to an unruly twat.

    Anyway.. That just randomly bugs me from time to time.

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    Veteran Member vegasbebe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    I don't know. I'm not really into it. I mean, I'm Italian, and even if another Italian person called me a wop or something, I'd be pissed off, and I would never use that term.

    However, I do use the word bitch. Like, "what's up bitch?" to my friends.

    Now that I think about it, maybe it's really not that funny.....

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    God/dess PleasureVictim's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    Quote Originally Posted by mascarajones
    I reclaimed this one a while ago...

    Cunt - from the Sanskrit "Kunte" or "Kunti" meaning literally "A Flowering Well"...

    you're darned right I am!

    Yup, lots of people don't know that cunt was not a bad word when it was first used- I love it, although I rarely get to use it lol.

    As a woman of color, I don't call my friends or foes niggas even though it's rampant in hip-hop and many people I know use it freely. It is hypocritical for some people to use it and others not be allowed to- but it's obvious why a black person would be weary of someone from another background using the word.

    I would never call anyone else spic, cracker, blah blah whatever. I've seen heated arguments with people trying to figure out why they can't call someone a nigga for fun. I'm trying to figure out why would someone want to?

    I use bitch, whore, dyke or fag every so often (only with people I know are cool with it)

  12. #12
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    On the reverse of this, I wish people would stop referring to each other as "shiksa." A lot of people think it just means a woman who isn't Jewish, and I've heard girls with Jewish boyfriends brag about being "the shiksa." I absolutely bristle when I hear that! The word means "foul abomination" and refers to dirty whores. When your boyfriend's mom introduces you as the shiksa, you should NOT be giggling!

    I've even seen that shirt on T-shirts. I know it's part of the whole "reclaiming words" trend that you speak of, but this is not a word to be reclaimed in my opinion.

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    Featured Member LilSweetVixen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    Oops on pagan. I also heard of Indian (Asia) boys calling thems Culis, their crew the Culi clique. Blade brought up an interesting point, about letting the words become you. Some people start BECOMING the word. Like with Nigga, if you have like a British, African, whatever accent and say "my nigga" people will laugh. Like they expect you to say it with an urban accent. So then they're becoming a nigga instead of becoming them. Or with queer, it was supposed to mean everybody not just homosexual guys, but then you have people trying to wear unique, quirky clothes they can look more queer. That'd be pointless if it's supposed to be about reeling it in.

    "You have demonic genius" -Naomi Wolf
    "I very much resent it when people - maybe with good intentions or from a progressive point of view - keep telling me, 'It's their culture' ... It's like saying the culture of Massachusetts is burning witches." -Azar Nafisi


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    Featured Member DSUsb19's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    My roomate calls me a redneck. It's ok, I am. The only thing that gets me extremely pissed off is "Dyke". I'm a lesbian, yes; but I hate that word.
    *~If you play with reservation, you never play to your full potential.~*

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    In beer there is freedom. In water there is bacteria. ~*

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    Featured Member venusofwillendorf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    i heard that "cunt" was originally and anglo-saxon word used to refer to the entirety of the female genitalia, internal and external, and was not at all deragatory, but rather had a meaning simlilar to"generative source" or "fountain". either way, it's an excellent word, and i have no problem with it. i refer to my cunt, my bf asks if he can kiss my cunt, it's all good. and besides, if someone calls me a cunt, i just choose to take it as a compliment- "yes, thankyou, i am the source of all life and the Goddess on earth. have a nice day!"
    be the change you wish to see in the world....
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    God/dess Deogol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reclaiming Words

    Quote Originally Posted by madmaxine
    ^ Cool. Now I'll stop using "c*nt" as an insult, it's too pretty a word now.

    Now that I'm grown, I've discovered the most cutting insults are usually just a fast statement addressing a dispute or disagreement, or biting ridicule...not little slang words.
    Oh yea - call it like it is - instead of "You're a dick" say "Your self-centered and selfish." Instead of "You're a drunk bastard" say "Obviously you can't hold your liquor because you are acting like a fool."

    Then expand the vocabulary a little more (not insults but real words) and you can really have some fun. Adjectives are your friend.

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