So Yes, The English Language Is Racist Too
As a young black girl, English was one of my favorite subjects at school. So much so that I had excellent grades in grammar, vocabulary, literature, and creative writing. But I always wondered why so many words in the English language that related to blackness, pointed to a negative topic, state of being, or experience. Really honestly, have a look at the English dictionary and you’ll see what I mean.
You’ll probably read about black magic which is defined as connected with or invoking the supernatural, especially the devil. Or maybe black despair which is a very sad, gloomy, or calamitous state. Then there is black resentment which is characterized as being hostile, angry, or discontent. You’ll probably read about black propaganda which is the business of going to elaborate ends to spread half-true, misleading, or downright false information to get your enemy in trouble.
And then there are other expressions like the black sheep of the family. Someone who is an odd or disreputable member of a group or who brought shame upon the family name. Then there is the black market which is the illegal trading of goods that are not allowed to be bought or sold. Black ice is a dangerous type of ice that forms on roads and that is so thin that it cannot be seen by the driver, and could lead to a fatal accident.
