SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Black Brazilians have reappropriated an insulting quip by a prominent television anchorman, using his words — “It’s a black thing” — to draw attention to contributions of Brazilians of African ancestry and to the lingering impact of racial subjugation in Brazil.

The quip was made in a video that was recorded last year but that only surfaced this week in Brazil.

In the video, William Waack, an anchorman for Brazil’s largest television network, Globo, was preparing for a live shot with a guest, with the White House in the background, while covering the presidential campaign in the United States.

In response to loud honking from a nearby car, Mr. Waack said under his breath, “It’s a black thing. No doubt,” and laughed about it with his guest.