Blacks
A racialized classification of people to describe various populations worldwide, particularly those of sub-Saharan African descent. It replaces outdated and discriminatory terminology such as Negro, colored, etc. The term is typically used in governmental questionnaires for individual classification. Additionally, it is used for skin color- and hair texture-based categories to classify individuals with a mid to dark brown complexion, as well as coily hair. However, it is important to note that not all individuals considered to be Black have dark skin or tight curls. Seeing this, “blackness” can not be confined to solely physical characteristics.
Historically, it has long been regarded that to be Black is to have any known African ancestry. Known as the “one-drop rule” in the Jim Crow South, a single drop of “black blood” made a person Black. This definition would become a universal, cultural definition in the United States (generally accepted by all racial groups) that still subconsciously exists in the present day.
When describing a group of Black people, the word black should be used as an adjective. For instance, “black power." However, it is inappropriate to use the word black as a plural noun, saying “the Blacks.” Adding “the” creates a distance and a negative “other.” If you are unsure what to call someone, it is best to ask what they prefer.
There are specific circumstances where the use of the term “Blacks” as a noun is acceptable. Still, it is dependent on several factors:
- Who Says It
- How They Say It
- The Context In Which They Say It
- The Intention
- Who They Are Describing
We are using capitalization to recognize a larger, interconnected community of Black people, with its own cultural, historical, and social significance.
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