That Reclamation thing
I've been thinking about Theo's reclaiming language (and the whole issue with whatever loligirl it was that brought up how derogatory his self description was), and by thinking about it, I mean that it likes to sneak into my thoughts from time to time and make me question what that means.
On the other hand, I've also been thinking about the usage of "heathen." It has very humble roots, after all, in just meaning "of the heath" (as in a person who lives in or near where the heath grows, nothing terrible except those "heathens" often worshiped Pagan gods and practiced things the Christians thought were sinful -rolls eyes-)
It, as well as witch (I eye twitch very fucking time I see that instead of bitch. e.e), and even sometimes PAGAN, are considered bad names and acceptable to use when referring to someone insultingly. Ugh.
I've been trying to redefine witch back to its roots, and define that witches are not evil. D< (Unless you want me to be. ;D) So perhaps the work should apply to likened terms? I mean, it makes me sad people don't know which groups they happen to be marginalizing when they use such terms, and even if they do, they simply do not care.
On the other hand, I've also been thinking about the usage of "heathen." It has very humble roots, after all, in just meaning "of the heath" (as in a person who lives in or near where the heath grows, nothing terrible except those "heathens" often worshiped Pagan gods and practiced things the Christians thought were sinful -rolls eyes-)
It, as well as witch (I eye twitch very fucking time I see that instead of bitch. e.e), and even sometimes PAGAN, are considered bad names and acceptable to use when referring to someone insultingly. Ugh.
I've been trying to redefine witch back to its roots, and define that witches are not evil. D< (Unless you want me to be. ;D) So perhaps the work should apply to likened terms? I mean, it makes me sad people don't know which groups they happen to be marginalizing when they use such terms, and even if they do, they simply do not care.