Reclaim

[Sarah]

To claim back; to demand the return of as a right; to attemptto recover possession of.A tract of land [Holland] snatched from an element perpetuallyreclaiming its prior occupancy. W. Coxe.

[Sarah]

To take control of a term that has a [pejorative] context. [queer], [dyke], and [queen] are examples of words that have been reclaimed by the [LGBT] community. Taking control of a [slur] removes the ability of [bigot]s to use that term in a hurtful manner. Reclaiming empowers marginalized communities.

NOTE: Do not use reclaimed words that are not part of your [sexual], [racial], or [ethnic] self-identification. For example: do not use the [n word] or variant words to describe yourself if you're not part of the [African American] community. Or, don't use words like [fag] or [faggot] if you are not a gay man. Reclamation is only for those people who have historically suffered because of the word in question. Outsiders, even sympathetic outsiders, should not use reclaimed words casually.

Even if you are part of a community that uses reclaimed terms, be selective in how you use them. Don't use reclaimed terms to start a fight where you and or others might be physically or verbally attacked. Use discretion.

[Sarah]

To take back.

reclaim now a days normally has something to do with taking