Commentary
By Edward Tedson Sesay, London, UK.
ANGELS ARE WHITE: DEVILS ARE BLACK
Over the years, I have pondered over the question as to whether the English language is racist, and each time I think about this, I am more inclined to say, “yes, it is racist.” If then the English Language is racist, is the racism accidental or purposeful?
Language is part and parcel of a people’s culture. It is inextricably linked with a society’s history, beliefs and politics and it reflects the attitudes of the people in that society. It cannot be denied that the “dominant” White culture is racist, and undoubtedly, the language of that culture is just as racist. Anybody with an interest in the character of languages and in that of the English Language in particular, can easily see that Blacks are subjected to an abusive /derogatory characterisation by the English language.
Is it coincidental that the symbolism of White as Positive and Black as Negative pervades the English Language and English culture ? Are Angels not White and Devils Black ? English dictionary definitions of Black carry connotations of an absence of moral light or goodness, being evil/wicked, sad, angry, gloomy, disgraceful, sinful, unscrupulous, ugly. Definitions of White on the other hand suggest uprightness, beauty, morality, purity, spotlessness, innocence, goodness.
Try as I may to shove aside the notion that the English Language is racist, I always fail to achieve this as my attention is drawn to certain words and expressions used in the English dictionary. Here is a list of just some of them and after going through them, you are free to make up your mind on the issue. Here we go:
Black Art/Magic: magic involving the supposed invocation of evil spirits for evil purposes.
Black Flag: ( Historical ): a flag hoisted outside a prison to announce an execution
Blackguard: a man who behaves dishonestly
Black Leg: a person who continues working when fellow workers are on strike
Blacklist: a list of people or groups regarded as unacceptable or unwanted. Can be used as a verb: to blacklist
Blackmail: an action of demanding money from a person in return for not revealing discreditable information or the use of threat or unfair manipulation in an attempt to influence someone’s actions.
Black Maria: a police vehicle for transporting prisoners or offenders
Black Mark: a record of a person’s discreditable action
Black Market: an illegal trade in officially controlled or scarce goods
Blackout: a sudden failure of electricity or loss of consciousness
Black Money: income obtained illegally or not declared for tax purposes
Black Spot: a place marked by a particular trouble
Black Sheep: a member of a family or group who is regarded as a disgrace
Now compare the above expressions and their meanings to the following:
White Collar: relating to work done or people who work in an office or other professional environment
White Goods: large domestic electrical goods such as refrigerators and washing machines
White Hope: a person expected to bring much success to a team or organisation
White Knight: a person or thing that comes to somebody’s aid
White Information: positive information about a person
White Lie: a harmless lie
White List: list of persons viewed with approval
White Magic: magic used only for good purposes
White Flag: symbolises a desire for peace or dialogue, ceasing hostilities
BLACK/WHITE WORD PLAY
I know my White folks will blackly ( angrily ) look at me for pointing out this black mark ( mark of shame ) in the character of their language. I will be accused of being black hearted ( evil ) for exposing the black ( bad ) side of their culture. Of course they will say I am telling a black ( harmful, inexcusable ) lie about them.
My White folks say if I wish to maintain my white collar ( office, prestigious ) job and continue to use white goods ( large domestic electrical goods ) in London and not get black balled ( ostracised ), I should only be writing white ( positive ) stuff about them. I will however continue to paint them just as black ( bad ) as they are. If any attempt is made to blacklist me ( declare me unwanted ) and no white knight (saviour) comes my way, I will be left with no option but to raise the white flag (surrender/ceasefire).
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