Does Black Mean Evil? Racism in the English Language

Today, the English language is one of the most widely spoken languages on earth. According to an information available on Babbel.com, out of the world's approximately 7.5 billion inhabitants, 1.5 billion speak English — that's 20% of the Earth's population. This means that one out of every five persons randomly selected speak the English language.

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The pervasiveness of the English language, of course, is not historically unconnected with colonialism, a period in which the British crown and other powerful European countries exercised economic and political control over some non-European territories.

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As it would be excepted, the inhabitants of the colonized territories were politically and culturally subjugated. Consequently, the culture and the language of the colonialists were forced on the indigenous people who soon became English speakers.

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As flawless and robust as the English language may seem on the surface, it is a language which systemically support racism.The word, Black, is often used to represent evil, bad luck, misbehavior, illegal acts, violence, backwardness, etc. On the other hand, White is used represent purity, legality, progress, conformity, tenderness, etc. Unfortunately, these facts are no coincidences. Over the years, it appears, racism has crept into the English language creating a black and white dichotomy.

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When Black Means the Opposite of Good

Now, let us briskly look at a list of words which suggest that black means the opposite of good. Here are a few examples:

• Blacklist: a list of people, organizations, etc., that are disapproved of or that are to be punished or avoided.

• Black sheep: someone who does not fit in with the rest of a group and is often considered to be a troublemaker or an embarrassment.

• Black hand: a lawless secret society engaged in criminal activities (as terrorism or extortion).

• Black Maria: an enclosed motortruck used by police to carry prisoners.

• Blackmail: the crime of threatening to tell secret information about someone unless the person being threatened gives you money or does what you want.

• Black market: a system through which things are bought and sold illegally.

• Black Widow: a poisonous American spider.

When White Means the Opposite of Evil

Now, let us consider a list of words which suggest that white means the opposite of evil. Here are a few examples:

• White list: a list of approved or favoured items. Compare blacklist.

• White hat: one who is admirable and honorable.

• White House: a residence of the president of the United States.

• White way: a brilliantly lighted street or avenue especially in a city's business or theater district.

• Whitewash: to defeat (an opponent) easily by winning every game, point, etc.

• White room: clean room.

Conclusion

Language is the vehicle through which cultural traits are expressed. Therefore, to have certain words in the English language which uphold racism through a parallel, lopsided black and white dichotomy is, I fear, an affirmation of racial inequality. And, as long as these words remain in the English dictionary, the thick cloud of racism hovering upon the world may never clear.

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