Racism in the English Language Term Paper

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In conclusion, it becomes clear from reading this enlightening essay that the English language is peppered with racial stereotypes and slurs, even in words and phrases that seem quite harmless. The question remains. Is this intentional? Were many English words and phrases created with subtle references to black as "bad" and white as "good" intentionally, or are they simply a result of a long-term repressed and unconscious thoughts and feelings about the races? Indeed, the author contends this is the case, and that these words and phrases actually continue to contribute to these unconscious thoughts and feelings. Perhaps we will never know, but reading this essay makes the question more compelling and the answer even more nebulous.

Briefly, the article is about many instances in the English language that encourage and give credence to racial prejudice, stereotypes, and victimization. The essay uses many "colorful" and even amusing examples of words that carry prejudicial meanings. These are everyday words that most people would not even think twice about using, and yet, as the author digs deeper, it seems they have many unspoken overtones that many of us simply take for granted. While many of the examples seem as if they could be unconscious, it is quite clear that the English language was created by and for the white race, and that other races suffer, from those in third-world emerging countries to Native Americans and Blacks. Our language paints a very "white" picture of the world, with words such as "fair" and "pure" signifying white and therefore "good" implications, while many other words, such as "dusty" and "dark" signify black and therefore "bad" implications. Of course, there are those that would say too much is being read into these words, and that people are being far too sensitive about words and are implying meanings that may never have been intended.

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However, after reading the article, it seems that is not the case. The article clearly shows how the English language contains many hidden and not so hidden references to racial differences and divides. The article made me stop and think more about words - not just the blatant words of racism that we recognize, but the underlying meanings of many other words that seem so innocent and innocuous on the outside. It seems hard to believe that someone or other sat down and created words that were obviously prejudicial, but as the essay continues, it seems more plausible that these words came out of long-held beliefs, rather than specific ideas of prejudice and hatred.

It seems that these words and phrases were created with intent and purpose, especially after reading this article. However, the English language evolved over thousands of years, and from many ancient languages, such as Old English. While it is not difficult to understand that prejudice is as old as mankind, it seems rather far-fetched that the language would have systematically developed ways to subjugate the races by subtle words and phrases. It seems that there may be other explanations for the development of these words. For example, night is "black." Does that make night "bad," and bright daylight "good?" Perhaps, because when the language evolved most peoples were agrigarian, and so depended on the sunlight for their life and avocation. It seems possible that these words could be linked to race and stereotypes, but it also seems the could be related to the natural world - relating to night and day, with completely different and non-racial meanings. We will probably never really know what the exact intent was in creating these words, but we can always question them, and the usage and meanings placed on them today......

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"Racism In The English Language" (2005, January 07) Retrieved May 6, 2025, from
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https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/racism-english-language-60914
   

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