Spring Break
Should we be calling ourselves 'Black'?
Alexa Fenton
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Opinion
Although African Americans have prevailed over some of the callous names we were once called, have we really overcome anything at all?
According to Webster's New Pocket Dictionary and Dictionary.com there is little if any advancement in the new found term "Black." Black is the modern day word used to label a group of people with ancestry from Africa, however, in the dictionary the word is mostly defined in a negative manner.
The definition incorporates words such as dirty, evil, and sad. What does this mean? Could it possibly state that for the last century African Americans have adopted a term that marks us as being an impure, unsatisfying body of people?
Our new terminology should be closely scrutinized and "blacks" should question the usage of this word. It is mainly unsettling because our basic opposite "White" involves words like "pure" and "innocent" in its description.
This in some situations could not be further from the truth.
The dictionary does include definitions that are closer in accuracy for both words black and white; however, the negative definitions for black completely outnumber the positive.
We as a people have to question why we have chosen this word to title our culture. We must know if it is at our discretion that we are called this, or if we have once again allowed others to brand us to their likings.
In my opinion a word that is so somber and leaves such a depressing connotation inaccurately describes the beauty of the dark skinned people descending from Africa.
Just as choosing a worthy name for your child is one of the most important choices you will make, the proper name for an entire race is equally imperative; if not more.
Remember, this is a word that not only identifies individuals in the twenty-first century, but it categorizes our great forefathers as well.
And what would they think?
Perhaps the changes of wording never occurred to you, but now that it has been brought to your attention, ask yourself.
Should we be calling ourselves Black?
Alexa Fenton is a student at Pasadena City College
According to Webster's New Pocket Dictionary and Dictionary.com there is little if any advancement in the new found term "Black." Black is the modern day word used to label a group of people with ancestry from Africa, however, in the dictionary the word is mostly defined in a negative manner.
The definition incorporates words such as dirty, evil, and sad. What does this mean? Could it possibly state that for the last century African Americans have adopted a term that marks us as being an impure, unsatisfying body of people?
Our new terminology should be closely scrutinized and "blacks" should question the usage of this word. It is mainly unsettling because our basic opposite "White" involves words like "pure" and "innocent" in its description.
This in some situations could not be further from the truth.
The dictionary does include definitions that are closer in accuracy for both words black and white; however, the negative definitions for black completely outnumber the positive.
We as a people have to question why we have chosen this word to title our culture. We must know if it is at our discretion that we are called this, or if we have once again allowed others to brand us to their likings.
In my opinion a word that is so somber and leaves such a depressing connotation inaccurately describes the beauty of the dark skinned people descending from Africa.
Just as choosing a worthy name for your child is one of the most important choices you will make, the proper name for an entire race is equally imperative; if not more.
Remember, this is a word that not only identifies individuals in the twenty-first century, but it categorizes our great forefathers as well.
And what would they think?
Perhaps the changes of wording never occurred to you, but now that it has been brought to your attention, ask yourself.
Should we be calling ourselves Black?
Alexa Fenton is a student at Pasadena City College
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