As I was watching Courageous Conversations I was struck
thinking about language. The fastest way to exclude someone is to speak in a
language they don’t understand. We write
journals, notes or snapchat to friends in coded language. We speak in ways that
our teacher or parents may not understand. This is part of forming a group or
community but at times it can be a group that excludes others from it.
Moreover, we should also question: at what point does this communication only
serve to reinforce oppression?
Which brings us to the racism in language. Lets think about the language in that courageous conversation. Is it racist? As Robert Moore (1998) points out the symbolism of white as positive and black as negative is prevalent in our culture as well as good guys with their white hats and ride white horses with bad guys wearing black hats and riding black horses. We see angels as white, and devils as black. As Robin DiAngelo says we should let go of the messenger and focus on the message (2018). But the message is one of animosity. Truly who sets the standards for our written and spoken language? Our use of language can be for the positive and the power of language can cut negatively as well. Language expresses our identity, relation to power and influences the way we view society. Even though we are using language continuously, we for the most part take it for granted. The effect language can have is potent and having a conversation while important should be closely monitored.
References:
Courageous Conversations (2014) Retrieved from
on February 5, 2022.
DiAngelo, R. (2018). White fragility: Why it's so hard for white people to talk about racism. Beacon Press.
Moore, R. B., & Rothenberg, P. S. (1998). Race, class, and gender in the United States: An integrated study. St. Martin's Press.
Which brings us to the racism in language. Lets think about the language in that courageous conversation. Is it racist? As Robert Moore (1998) points out the symbolism of white as positive and black as negative is prevalent in our culture as well as good guys with their white hats and ride white horses with bad guys wearing black hats and riding black horses. We see angels as white, and devils as black. As Robin DiAngelo says we should let go of the messenger and focus on the message (2018). But the message is one of animosity. Truly who sets the standards for our written and spoken language? Our use of language can be for the positive and the power of language can cut negatively as well. Language expresses our identity, relation to power and influences the way we view society. Even though we are using language continuously, we for the most part take it for granted. The effect language can have is potent and having a conversation while important should be closely monitored.
References:
Courageous Conversations (2014) Retrieved from
on February 5, 2022.
DiAngelo, R. (2018). White fragility: Why it's so hard for white people to talk about racism. Beacon Press.
Moore, R. B., & Rothenberg, P. S. (1998). Race, class, and gender in the United States: An integrated study. St. Martin's Press.