After today's small group discussion I began questioning words that have become common in my vocabulary. Is there truly a friendly way to say what was once a slur or derogatory? Can a reappropriated word be friendly in one context and crossing a line in another?
As a white person, I understand that it is inappropriate for me to use any racial slur in any context, simply because I have not been a target of racism or oppression in that regard. On the other hand, I am a girl. Does this give me permission to use words like slut or b*tch because they were originally used against women? I have a mental illness, so does that give me permission to use words like ps*cho because it is used against people with mental health issues? Ps*cho is a word targeted mainly at people with schizophrenia. I do not have schizophrenia, but since it is a word that has been used against mentally ill (women) in general does it make a difference? Where is this line crossed?
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ReplyDeleteThere is not a friendly way to say a slur that was once derogatory. Even if you reword the sentence or replace certain words with another term, it will still mean the same thing in the end. Personally, I prefer to not call people sluts or b*tiches. I feel that people usually say these types of things to make themselves feel better. But, is it okay to call someone a derogatory term that was used to offend your race in the past?
ReplyDeleteWell, if a black person were to refer to their black friend as a n*gga, socially we are ok with that. Grouping people together by using labels, is useful. It brings you closer together and makes people, who otherwise would never be friends, at least on friendly terms. However, it is also used to exclude other people. A word by nature can't hurt anybody, but the way and purpose with which it is used matters.
DeleteI believe that the ability to use ps*cho is far more complicated than "mental illness? Yes/no." People with depression or anxiety didn't historically have that particular slur thrown at them. Instead, it tended to apply to people who were schizophrenic, for example. Also, it entwines with sexism, because women were more likely to be called "crazy" or "hysterical." This doesn't mean that schizophrenic men can't use the word, per se, but it's another layer to a very complicated history. Probably the best test, given all of that, is whether you've ever actually been called "ps*cho."
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