Who Reclaims Slurs?

Abstract

Reclamation is usually taken to be the phenomenon wherein in‐groups employ a slur to express pride, foster camaraderie, or subvert discriminatory structures. We provide data showing that, under some special circumstances, out‐groups successfully reclaim slurs too. Thus, the mainstream restriction to in‐groups is merely an approximation of the correct extension of the phenomenon – of who does actually reclaim slurs. Removing any such stipulative restriction opens a path towards further theorizing into the nature of reclamation.

Reclamation and Authorization: Cepollaro and Lopez de Sa on in-group Restriction

“…I agree with Cepollaro and Lopez de Sa that these are successful reclamations by members of out-groups (Cepollaro & Lopez de Sa, 2022). First, it seems to me that other types of appropriated uses can be ruled out.…”

“…According to them, a successful reclamation depends on the audience's response and that settles whether the reclaimer is authoritative enough. (Cepollaro & Lopez de Sa, 2022; see also Cepollaro, 2017). This analysis challenges the in-group restriction.…”

“…Moreover, the restriction "impedes further research into more complex conditions that need to be in place for successful reclamation". They conclude that the restriction deprives valuable theorizing concerning reclamation (Cepollaro & Lopez de Sa, 2022). I argue that even though sometimes members of an out-group do successfully reclaim slurs, as Cepollaro and Lopez de Sa show, the in-group still has a key role in reclamation.…”

“…Importantly, removing the in-group restriction does not provide any support or theoretical backing for offensive uses of slurs (by either in-groups or outgroups), whether these are due to insensitivity, erroneous assessment, or bad faith, nor does it imply any downplaying of the special role that members of the target group may end up playing vis-à-vis the ultimate validation of successful reclamation. (Cepollaro & Lopez de Sa, 2022) Agreed that their analysis does not give any support or justification for the offensive uses of slurs. Their claim applies only to reclamation, to the positive uses slurs.…”

“…For that end, Cepollaro and Lopez de Sa discuss Katherine Ritchie's alternative explanation. According to her insider view, in some contexts gay men count as gay women and this explains the reclamation of 'dyke' by gay men (Cepollaro &Lopez de Sa, 2022 andRitchie, 2017).…”