Let’s Stop Using the Term “Racist” and Start Saying “Anti-Black”
Let’s Stop Using the Term “Racist” and Start Saying “Anti-Black” I’ve been on a run this week, and maybe it’s the sunlight, the ability to walk without a jacket, or just the feeling of movement, but I’ve been deep in thought. One thought that’s been sitting with me is how we talk about oppression. Specifically, how we use the term “racist” when we should be saying “anti-Black.” The Power of Precision in Language This idea first hit me while watching a video by an Arab woman discussing Zionism. Before she even began, she made it clear that she was being careful with her words because she didn’t want to be labeled “anti-Semitic.” That caught my attention. Why? Because “anti-Semitic” is a precise term. It specifically refers to discrimination against Jewish people. It doesn’t leave room for debate about whether someone is just “generally prejudiced” or if they have “friends from different backgrounds.” It zeroes in on a particular issue. Compare that to the word “racist.” It’s bro...
