I’m in a black mood after reading this one. It seems a black snowflake was offended by Dictionary.com’s list of synonyms for the word ‘black.’ It seems that these synonyms that have existed for ages are now racist. Why? Because one black woman says so.
Online word site Dictionary.com has revealed its plans to update their definition of ‘black’ after being branded racist.
Nyshayla Barnes, 21, an artist from New Jersey, took to Twitter to voice her discomfort at the words associated with the term.
Posting a screengrab of the synonyms alongside ‘black’, she revealed how words including ‘dark, dingy, depressing, devilish and sinful’ were listed.
Well, you crybaby bitch, that’s because that’s because that’s what the word means!
Slamming the definitions, Nyshayla wrote: ‘There are offensive words in the dictionary associated with the definition of ‘Black’. It is vital that we have more positive meanings for this word because how we define words shapes our perception of them’.
And further explaining her point, she added: ‘We are not taking offense to the word ‘Black’. That is our identity. We have a problem with the other words that are associated with Black that don’t need to be associated with it at all’.
She added: ‘Rather than making words, such as ‘depressing’, ‘threatening’ and ‘foreboding’ synonymous to ‘Black’, we should instead use words that do not insinuate a biased undertone to a word that is commonly used to describe people of Black race and culture.’
Great Odin’s beard, I’ve rarely encountered such a loon as you! It’s not like one of the synonyms was ‘n*gger.’ None of the synonyms have anything whatsoever to do with race!
Many praised her for speaking out, with one writing: ‘Well done for speaking up and seeking a positive change!’.
Another added: ‘You’ve done a great thing. Good job!’.
However others were more harsh, arguing that it was political correctness gone too far.
One wrote: ‘This is seriously stupid! It silly stuff like this that the real issues with race get no justice. You are just looking for something to be offended by!’.
‘You only think it’s offensive, because you’re attaching yourself to that word. Have not moaned about yellow for cowardly, or blue for ‘feeling down’. No, of course you haven’t. Black, blue and yellow are colours,’ another argued.
Another added: ‘As a black man, it’s embarrassing what we as black Americans cry about. If dictionarycom changes this they don’t deserve respect. Next white people can not wear cloths that are black. Get in the real fight for justice and not have a Trump ( simple) mindset.’
So what if this guy is barely literate? And although he’s wrong about Trump he’s right about everything else . . . except for spelling and the like.
‘Now people are offended by the dictionary?? Good lord… So many sensitive snowflakes,’ one said.
However others argued that more colour definitions should be looked at, one writing: ‘Let’s also change synonyms associated with the color red.
‘Both words have been used to describe communists/native Americans in a derogatory fashion. How about yellow? Means cowardly and has been used to describe Asians.’
You forgot white. The flag representing surrender is white. That makes me feel bad about myself. And since my safe space isn’t enough to soothe my hurt wittle feewings, I’m going to complain and try to get the color of that flag changed. Maybe a nice mauve. You hear what I’m saying, idiot? That is how stupid YOU sound!
And replying to the lively thread, Dictionary.com revealed their plans to update the definition.
They tweeted: ‘We agree! We are making some updates and revisions that will be rolled out later this year.’
An article on their page explains they will be distancing the term from the expressions ‘soiled or stained with dirt’ and captialising the term ‘black’ as a ‘mark of respect’.
Black in this context is never capitalized unless used at the beginning of a sentence. You have just ruined any credibility you might have had as a “dictionary.” You have put a black mark on your reputation.
They added: ‘When it comes to the language of identity, the words we use are especially important. This is why when My Black Is Beautiful reached out to Dictionary.com about ‘Redefine Black,’ we saw an opportunity to revisit our current entry of the word’.
Go ahead and be Orwellian. Be Stalinesque. Change the meaning of words. I’ll not be visiting your pseudo-academic site for any definitions or synonyms, you are clearly not credible and definitely spineless. This is certainly a black day for the English language.
