Racial Discourse, Attitude, and Rhetorical Manoeuvres

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Abstract
Eleven ethnically Dutch adults, living in an old neighborhood in the center of the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, discussed in twogroups during fourevenings the situation in their neighborhood. Transcripts of the discussions were analyzed focusing on racial attitudes and their expression. Three questionsguided the analysis. First, the relationship between holding strong views and the variability of attitudinal positions expressed in discourse was studied. Second, the question of the meaning of different rhetorical manoeuvres or devices in expressing racism was addressed. Third, some of the ways in which racist views are presented and justified were explored. It is argued, first, that variability in attitude expression depends on the normative position of the speaker Second, it is argued that "rhetorical" manoeuvres are not only strategical but can also have a more genuine meaning. Third, it is shown that using personal experiences is a powerful device for justifying racist talk.

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