But what happens when a reappropriated slur is used by a Black person towards a White person?
Previous studies investigated the use of racial slurs by White individuals toward Black individuals and the reclaiming of disparaging words among racial minorities.
But no research had yet examined the reappropriated use of racial slurs by Black individuals toward White targets.
In the study, 324 White participants read a brief story about a Black person using a slur to refer to a White person during a basketball game.
They also viewed Black racial slurs used by Black individuals toward White individuals as more affiliative.
To examine how African Americans viewed Black individuals using Black racial slurs toward White individuals, the researchers conducted a similar experiment with 211 Black participants.
The study, “Perceptions of Racial Slurs Used by Black Individuals Toward White Individuals: Derogation or Affiliation? »