When is Irony a Good Thing? – Reclaiming Words

I’m sure you can come up with words that have been used historically to undermine and abuse different groups of people, so I won’t use the words.

As a woman, I often wonder about this type of word that has been used to harm us and keep us in our place/role. And wonder about the distinction if we say it in irony or one of the ‘real women’ say it along with their husbands or fathers who want to keep us in our place/role.

Then I wonder if we should be reclaiming these words in public places where those who use it in irony and those who don’t share the space.

• Does that diminish the power of the word?
• Does that reduce their abusive intent?
• Does that increase/decrease our irony?
• Does it help or harm us to do this where our intent can be mistaken by anyone passing by?

What do you think of this practice?