Reply #101: People co-opt derogatory terms as a means of fighting back [View All]

[Dob Bole]

You hear people use the N-word because people used it against them for so long- using it themselves takes the power of the word away. You will also see some young evangelicals do this when they call themselves "Jesus Freaks"- a term that older people once used against them.

A couple of years ago I went to Costa Rica for a habitat build. Some of the people in the town started calling us Gringos. (damn yankees, basically) They didn't know that I knew what they were saying, so I tied my beach towel around my back and ran around yelling "Yo Soy SuperGringo!!!" (I am SuperDamnYankee) It worked. They Stopped.