General Discussion

yardwork

(69,137 posts)

23. Happy to tell you my thinking on this.

Thu Apr 21, 2022, 01:38 PM

Apr 2022

First, Black people have been oppressed in countless ways for hundreds of years. Capitalizing Black while keeping white lower case is a kind of symbolic reparation. It costs nothing but it feels good when I do it.

Second, Black is a construct created out of the more oppressive words used by whites about Black people. "Black" was created by and for Black people. As such, it's a proper noun in some ways. "White" on the other hand has always been the default. An unquestioned default. "White" people have no collective identity precisely because we have never had to create one. We just were - the unquestioned default. Just as being straight and being cis-gender are unquestioned defaults.

I have no idea if others agree but those are my reasons.

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What is the rationale for capitalizing Black but not white? [View all] LAS14 Apr 2022 OP

I don't capitalize either word. Elessar Zappa Apr 2022 #1

I always capitalize colors if they are used to refer to race Miguelito Loveless Apr 2022 #2

Me too nt XanaDUer2 Apr 2022 #40

this should be fun SoonerPride Apr 2022 #3

Scootch over AZSkiffyGeek Apr 2022 #4

I'll bring drinks. 11 Bravo Apr 2022 #9

Heh. yardwork Apr 2022 #11

Why? CrackityJones75 Apr 2022 #14

Happy to tell you my thinking on this. yardwork Apr 2022 #23

Well I absolutely do not agree with anything that you've posted. CrackityJones75 Apr 2022 #27

Do you disagree that Black people have been oppressed for hundreds of years? yardwork Apr 2022 #30

This message was self-deleted by its author CrackityJones75 Apr 2022 #35

Ridiculous question. CrackityJones75 Apr 2022 #36

You wrote that you disagreed with everything I said. yardwork Apr 2022 #39

Ok you are right CrackityJones75 Apr 2022 #41

Not touching this one with a barge pole. smirkymonkey Apr 2022 #28

yup obamanut2012 Apr 2022 #29

Or how about Mars but not earth? (n/t) PJMcK Apr 2022 #5

When To Capitalize "Earth" Edim Apr 2022 #10

Thanks! PJMcK Apr 2022 #15

I thought it was proper form to capitalize both. TheBlackAdder Apr 2022 #6

You might want to read this article from The Dallas Morning News: TexasTowelie Apr 2022 #7

Thanks for the link. Very helpful. Although... LAS14 Apr 2022 #19

I capitalize Black because where I grew up the racist/rube white folks treated them like crud Hoyt Apr 2022 #8

Your answer is more succinct than mine. yardwork Apr 2022 #24

As an editor, I usually try to capitalize both Metaphorical Apr 2022 #12

I think an argument can be made for race descriptors as being a proper noun. Gore1FL Apr 2022 #13

I don't use the shift key. Then I started using iPhone and it randomly capitalizes lowercase words unblock Apr 2022 #16

This message was self-deleted by its author old as dirt Apr 2022 #17

I Capitalize Both Black and White When Using Them to Refer to Race n/t Indykatie Apr 2022 #18

Me too...n/t bluecollar2 Apr 2022 #33

I don't capitalize either one. Dial H For Hero Apr 2022 #20

That is a fairly recent change in journalistic styles. MineralMan Apr 2022 #21

Rationale per the AP Style Guide TheProle Apr 2022 #32

I just read it as the latest shift in group self-identification. Dr. ML King called himself a Negro. Hekate Apr 2022 #22

As a gay person I deplore the tendency to clobber well-meaning allies. yardwork Apr 2022 #25

Thank you. Cuppa coffee later? Hekate Apr 2022 #26

Absolutely! yardwork Apr 2022 #31

"Black" is an identity, white is not, except among racists. Mosby Apr 2022 #34

Whatever someone wants to be called, that's what I'm gonna call them. Mister Ed Apr 2022 #37

This idea that capitalizing Black but not white CrackityJones75 Apr 2022 #38