Our language and choice of words matters a great deal when discussing the history of this nation. This week’s episode is an examination of common language usage and how our words influence that on which we focus.
Episode 125 gives the listener a grammar lesson reminiscent of that which we received in elementary school.
For example: “Teachers teach.”
Here you are presented with a subject and verb. In this sentence, teachers are the actors.
“Teachers teach students.”
This example shows us the object of the teacher’ actions. The object in this sentence is ‘students’. The students are being acted upon by the teachers.
Often in review of American history, specifically that deemed “Black History,” we are presented with something like the following:
“Blacks were enslaved.” “Blacks were lynched.” “Blacks were killed.”
The subject in each of the sentences is “Blacks.” The sentences informs us that Blacks had something occur to them. But, the picture is incomplete without naming an actor.
However the sentence, “Whites enslaved Blacks,” gives us a fuller picture. “Whites lynched Blacks” does as well.
These sentences not only inform us that blacks were enslaved and lynched but it also informs us WHO the enslavers and lynchers were. Here we are presented with the subject (Whites) who are the actors and the object (Blacks) of their actions.
This brings us from a narrow focus to a broader focus. (Imagine looking a picture that is all but concealed except for a small area.)
By excluding the actor in these discussions, our attention naturally shifts to the object of the actor. However, including the actor permits us to analyze much more than the object-we are now able to analyze the actor and his actions. (Now the whole picture visible!)
Therefore, as we are having socially conscious conversations wherein Blacks are deputized in explaining the part of American history designated as ‘Black History’, we should refrain from putting the emphasis on ourselves.
Rather, we should put emphasis on the actors who were the deniers of liberty, the actors who constructed systems of ongoing oppression, the actors who were practitioners of death.
That context is important.
Wherein, historically, we have highlighted our own experiences and the effect systemic abuses had on our own people - we were limited to only a self examination. Redirecting or at least sharing emphasis with the actor allows us to analyze the character and nature of those who would enact such atrocities upon us.
Language matters.
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