Comparisons: “Base 10″ and “Reclaiming”

[peterchayward]

Originally published at PeterCHayward.com/blog. You can comment here or there.

This is the first in what I plan to be a series of posts called “Comparisons”, when I have the same issues or thoughts on two completely unrelated topics. Today: the mathematical concept of Base 10, and the social issue of reclaiming a word.

I have the same problem with

Comments

[looniewolf]

An insult is only an insult when people consider it as such.

Case in point: Honky. It was the word black people used to call whites in response to the various insults used against blacks.

White folk found it amusing and a matter of pride to be a "honky" and thus it never really got off the ground.

To this day, the "n" word is so vile that if you legitimately use the word "niggardly" in a speech you have to apologize, despite the fact the root of niggardly is different than the "n" word. But no one gives a flying leap about being called a honky. Except maybe some black people. =^-^=

Thus reclaiming a word is possible. I've seen women called a bitch and then turn, smile, and say "and damn proud of it." And you know something? It works. You can't call them that and have it work if they laugh it off and consider it a point of pride.

Heck, I destroyed an Encyclopedia Dramatica post on myself after it was first launched by commenting on it, laughing, making suggestions on how to make it more vile, and basically stated my immense amusement by it. The post remained for a while... but never got added to. I eliminated any and all fun for it by refusing to be offended. Insults only work if the person insulted gives those words power.