Demanding respect: the uses of reported speech in discursive constructionsof interracial contact

This investigation examines discursive uses of respect in talking about int erracial contact. In discussing the documentary, Racism 101,the most freque ntly quoted portion by African-American and Latino participants was a segme nt on demanding respect from Whites. Our first study analyzes such discours e - reported speech - for what is made relevant from the original documenta ry segment. The participants' reported speech conveys little of the exact w ording of the original, but does capture its spirit through using similar s tructural features:the repetition of 'respect', a contrast between respect and liking, and addressing this to Whites. These uses of reported speech ar e participants' way of performing the power of another's words, in the sens e of being able to articulate a compelling discursive position on an interr acial problematic. Our second study employs focus-group interviews to furth er explore the meanings of respect for African-Americans. We examine narrat ives of disrespect during interracial contact in public places, such as dur ing service encounters in stores. Participants' narratives told of being di srespected by being overly monitored, not receiving service, or being treat ed in a derogatory fashion, in short, the perception of being treated diffe rently than Whites. Reported speech was used in these narratives to constru ct the White service worker's actions, how the narrator responded, what cou ld have happened, or what in-group members say as an aggregate. Reported sp eech allows narrators to articulate the subtext to what is being said. Also , the evaluation of these incidents told of the emotional costs of being th e recipient of disrespect.