Social Question

Buttonstc's avatar

So, how come there aren't any Jewish efforts to "reclaim" negative stereotype words and phrases?

Asked by Buttonstc (27605points) July 10th, 2010 from iPhone

This is not intended to be flame baiting in any way, shape or form. I’m honestly curious about this.

As other discussions have been focusing upon different groups attempts to take the sting out of negative words primarily by young people, I got to wondering why there aparently aren’t any similar efforts by young (or any age) Jewish folks doing likewise. I don’t need to bother listing any examples for obvious reasons.

I know that the Lubavitcher’s are quite active on college campuses all over attempting to persuade others to reclaim historical Jewish Orthodoxy, but that’s a horse of a different color, so to speak.

If I’m wrong about my premise, please feel free to correct and enlighten me but I just haven’t seem of read of any effort to reclaim negative words or phrases specifically.

Obviously women are trying to reclaim Bitch, rappers are asserting the reclaiming of bitches, hos and niggaz, young British emigres are reclaiming Paki for themselves and the list goes on.

So, is there a similar effort among Jewish young people or is my hunch correct. If so, what would be your supposition as to why?

I have a theory, but I’m going to hold off for awhile as I’d be more interested in hearing from others.

So, what say you ? Are there any groups of Jewish reclaimers of negative stereotypical words out there?

If not, why not ? This inquiring mind would like to know. Give it your best shot.

I’m posting in Social because I abhor censorship so a little levity is not unwelcome. But please refrain from nastiness or ugliness toward anybody. That’s not why I posted this Q.

Like your Momma taught you : if you don’t have anything nice to say (or helpful or humorous or neutral) then don’t say anything.

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3 Answers

Dr_Lawrence's avatar

I believe that the low rate of response to your question suggests that people are unclear what you are getting at or what your underlying motives might be in asking the question.

That certainly is true for me.

Buttonstc's avatar

My motive is simple curiosity prompted by related questions as of late regarding the usages of various controversial words and the seemingly prevailing trend of reclaiming their usage.

It seems that every other group and their brother has been jumping on the bandwagon with the noticeable absence of Jewish folks and I was curious about why that might be.

That’s it in a nutshell. I purposely omitted including any of those deragatory terms since that’s unnecessarily inflammatory.

I don’t have any hidden agenda or motives. My Q is what it is and if I’m the only one curious about it then so be it.

BTW. I think most folks are aware of how skeptical I am regarding the dubious efficacy of all this supposed “reclaiming” going on hither thither and yon.

I’m wondering if Jewish folks might also share my skepticism about it as well so I figured I’d ask. I didn’t think it was THAT controversial, but…..

Likeradar's avatar

As a Jew, I don’t feel any need to “reclaim” kike or any other derogatory term. I have gay friends who call each other “fag” and I know about the reclamation of other derogatory terms. I feel no sense of power or pride using a word that has been used with the intention of hurting my ancestors. It would be better, in my mind, if the words just went away.
I think it’s a valid question, @Buttonstc.

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