Slurs, including terms like “spic,” “slut,” “wetback,” and “whore,” are powerful linguistic expressions used to demean individuals based on group affiliation and perceived characteristics. These words carry significant negative weight in language. While research has explored slurs targeting groups such as African Americans, homosexual men, and sexually active women, there’s a noticeable gap in the academic analysis of slurs directed at Hispanic and Mexican-American communities.
This article addresses this gap by providing a systematic and empirically grounded analysis of Mexican Slurs, examining both their derogatory and appropriative applications. It delves into over a dozen Spanish stereotypes and slurs, clarifying how the descriptive attributes embedded within stereotypes associated with these slurs shape their meaning and impact when used against a target. The research further investigates the psychological effects of stereotype threat and stereotype lift, demonstrating how the deployment of relevant slurs can trigger these phenomena in targeted individuals.
This exploration contributes to a deeper understanding of the nuanced ways in which language, stereotypes, and social dynamics intersect to affect marginalized groups. By focusing on Mexican slurs, this analysis sheds light on a previously under-examined area within the broader study of offensive language and its societal consequences.
