Reappropriation,
in its most basic definition, means using a derogatory term or slur
as a form of self-identification. This self-identification with a slur, in
turn, removes some of the stigma from the word, turning a derogatory term into
a form of self-respect. Once absorbed into the group’s dialect, these slurs
have the potential to create a political identity, but most importantly,
strengthen the collective in-group identity.

This interplay between personal and
collective identity and self-esteem and group-esteem relates to social identity
theory (SIT). First coined by Henri Tajfel and John Turner, two social
psychologists in the 1970s and 1980s, SIT argues that individuals view their
in-group positively in order to promote a more cohesive collective identity.
Social in-groups and out-groups help us characterize our world and define
ourselves because they define other individuals and assign characteristics to
certain groups.

Using a slur as a form of
self-identification is not found as aggressive by observers or members within
the group itself, creating a more communitarian and collective identity within
that stigmatized in-group. By self-identifying with a slur (think, for example “queer”) we see how the
personal identity can play into the collective group.

By using a derogatory term as a form of
self-identification, in-groups are able to maintain their minority (and to a
certain extent, victimized) status, while fostering a stronger in-group and
collective identity.

For example, the LGBT community
(especially its younger members) self-identify as “queer”. Heiko Motschenbacker, a professor at
Goethe University, says the resignification of “queer” began as a linguistic experiment as
terms such as “gay” and “lesbian” are seen as representative of
heteronormativity resultant from the gender binary. As a result, the members of
the LGBT community have worked to reappropriate the word “queer” to mean something more powerful than
“unusual.” Once taken up by academia, “queer”, more or less, has been reappropriated. 

But still, is language reappropriation
possible?

A group of social scientists, led by Adam
Galinsky, a professor at Columbia University, ran ten experiments to see what
power (if any) self-labeling with a derogatory term gave an in-group. They
concluded that self-labeling with a derogatory group label weakens the
derogatory force. In fact, self-labeling with a
derogatory term resignifies the word not only to mean something more than its
original derogatory content, but also provides the group cohesion and a
stronger collective identity. Language reappropriation signifies the
relationship between language, identity, and culture.

To address whether it is okay to
self-identify as a slut. First, we must acknowledge that “slut” is derogatory and is directed at a
certain group of people––women. When
Sandra Fluke, an advocate for birth control bills, wanted to speak to Congress
regarding their health benefits, Rush Limbaugh called her a “slut.” In another instance of “slut-shaming,” Kristen
Stewart was called a “trampire” by the tabloids and Skreened, a t-shirt company,
made shirts saying, “Kristen Stewart is a Trampire.” In 2011, a Canadian police
officer said, “Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be
victimized.”

Following the comments of the Canadian
police officer, a group of women walked to reclaim the word “slut” through SlutWalk. Starting in Toronto,
SlutWalks have spread across the globe. In its first year, it drew over 3,000
protesters. At these SlutWalks, some women dress like “sluts” or not (it depends on the woman, there
is no official dress code) and walk together. Some signs say “Trampires aren’t
real,” or “I’m not asking for it,” or “Sex is something that happens between
two people, not something you do to someone else.”

In this sense, they are taking the word “slut” and attempting to reappropriate it.
They are using a derogatory term as a form of power—trying to resignify this
term, but also creating a collective identity around it. But has this
reappropriation of “slut”
been successful? And it is acceptable to call yourself it?

First, it must be understood that the
reappropriation of “slut”
is inherently different than that of “queer”, as the resignification of “slut” works to address “rape culture,” not
personal identity. Even though both are political, “slut” will never be absorbed into academia
(we will never see “slut theory” as we see “queer
theory”).

Being so, words cannot be reappropriated
nor can political identities be created without the collective support from the
in-group, and even then, the prejudiced out-group may look as the language
reappropriation as parodic.

For example, the LGBT community in China
has worked to resignify the word “tongzhi” as someone of a non-normative sexual
orientation. It initially meant someone who believed the same things you
believed. During the Cultural Revolution, the government reapproriated it to
mean “comrade.” Now it is used as a form of self-identification similar to
queer. However, its use and depiction of “tongzhis” in the news media uses it
ironically (by negatively referring to gay men as “tongzhi” when the word
itself is not derogatory), and there is an incongruity between the activists’
use of the word and the tone of the article. The word “tongzhi” is thus
parodic. 

Bringing it back to the attempted
reppropriation of “slut.” So, if you want to call yourself a “slut,” look at the collective support of the
movement. Is it actively being resignified? With “slut,” some circles are definitely working to
reappropriate it. Writers of The Ethical Slut (a guidebook of sorts for
polyamorous relationships) self-identify as “sluts” and use this self-identification to
argue for more equal partnerships. Marchers and organizers of SlutWalk use the
term “slut” to reclaim power
and address rape culture.

If you’re using it properly, you’re ultimately resignifying the term
with something other than a promiscuous woman, and in a sense, taking back
power and actively addressing rape culture. What does it mean to use it
properly? Don’t slut shame yourself. Don’t slut shame others. Remove the stigma
from the term when you use it. Use it with pride.

The self-identification with a derogatory
term is ultimately a personal choice. And these personal
choices, once enough are made, can affect the collective group identity.

Still, language
reappropriation is a hot-button issue because some can be offended by the self-identification of a slur. However, language
reappropriation is, more or less, a micro aggression against a larger problem,
which uniquely attempts to address political and social inequality as well as
self-respect in a very personal manner.