As one mindful of language and labeling, I bristle at the word Black as a reference to African Americans; I find it even more discomfiting when I attempt to explain this reaction to African Americans and others alike. When considering the major racial/ethnic categories (Asian, Caucasian, Latino/Hispanic, etc.), one might agree it is peculiar that only descendants of once enslaved African people are invariably labeled as Black. Although for many African Americans this word serves as a term of pride and distinction, it also acts as an agent of division and denigration. Even the word denigrate is rooted in the negativity associated with the word black.
The Dark Side of Black
According to the article On Language; Dark Words of Disapproval, the following etymology is provided for the above-mentioned verb: denigrationem is Late Latin for ''a blackening.'' The de- does not mean '' the opposite or reverse of,'' as de- so often does; in this case, as in denude and declaim, it means ''completely''; thus, denigrate is rooted in ''to blacken completely.'' The term was picked up as a verb in Old French meaning ''to blacken'' and transferred to English in the 16th century in the sense of ''darken a good name,'' or ''defame.''
From the above excerpt it seems virtually impossible to extricate the negative denotations, as well as connotations, from the word Black. Over time, however, this word has been accepted into our general vernacular and has developed into a seemingly innocuous and politically correct label for a certain group of people.
Black as a Means of Division
The Oxford American College Dictionary states that the word Black is used to designate “…any human group having dark-colored skin, esp. of African or Australian Aboriginal ancestry.” In light of this rather broad definition, if the term Black were merely an innocent, phenotypic classification, why are African-Americans the only group to which this word is chiefly applied? Why not all individuals possessing a “dark-colored skin”? It must be noted that there are many groups comprised of darker-skinned individuals who expressly reject being referred to as Black. For example, many Ethiopians, Nigerians, Somalis, etc. often balk at this labeling for fear that it will associate them with African Americans in general and the negative stereotypes attributed to the latter in particular.
The True Colors of Black
With this in mind, the issue suddenly departs from simple matters of appearance and encroaches upon the profoundly odious borders of racial discrimination. How else might one explain such a perverse labeling of a group (African Americans) so diverse in its shades and tones? Arguably, the word Black functions as an epithet designed to underscore or exaggerate the perceived otherness of the group it is meant to describe. With respect to ethnic/racial grouping, the word Black immediately gnaws at the eye and the ear as that which does not belong. In other words, Black is not a race or ethnic group, but rather a color, which I have yet to see on anyone it is said to apply.
Moreover, the word Black carries with it more than the negative connotations of otherness and the gross inapplicability to actually skin color, but also the painful wounds inflicted upon African Americans for generations. In recent years, controversies surrounding the use of “black-face” on the Australian television show Hey, Hey it’s Saturday and in a French Vogue photo shoot have played a major role in drawing out the essentially abusive and archaic nature of the word Black as it applies to people. If nothing else these two incidents elicit the questions: in the 21st century why must it still be necessary for African Americans to defend themselves against racial invective? Furthermore, why should they (African Americans) continue to accept the extension of such abuse via identification with one of its chief pejoratives—i.e., the word Black?
Demi A. Phillips - Demi is a writer/educator. As a tutor at Study Made EZ, she spends the majority of her time helping others help themselves.
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