A Study In Black
Black.
What comes to mind when you hear the word? There are so many connotations to the word. It's been something that I'm keenly aware of everyday of my life as a black person. There are so many common sayings involving the word, many negative. I hate it when that is even first word that comes to my mind. I hate to use the word blackmail even though it's the common one. I prefer to say extortion. But there are some positive ones too. I've made it a point over the years to look for them.
I've always written poetry, though it's not something that I've shared a lot on this blog, except for this one. Over the last few days, I started thinking about different words and sayings involving black. I took out "black" and put them all together into something like a poem. I've left out many. Are there any you would like to add?
A Study In Black
letter law
mark
as night
men in
studies
the dahlia
jet
history month
the death
out
box
day
coffee
in the
listed
madonna
holes
irish
little dress
widow
heart
friday
pitch
cat
codes
little book
market
sheep
gold
pot calling the kettle
Anali's First Amendment © 2006-2007. All rights reserved.
Comments
Growing up in India,I didn't see many "blacks" except few (most handsome,tall and dark!)African students in our Indian Engineering colleges and we always called them Africans, never as "Blacks"!
Here,I don't like it when they are called "African Americans" either, as if they are all just landed here recently from Africa!!
I own so many clothes in black and even own quite a few sarees in black.
THese are the two other things I think of when I hear the name Black.
sabbath
guard
september
During some pilgrimages in India the most devout wear black sarongs - not sure why - and mourners wear white.
It's interesting to see how many pejorative uses 'black' has been put to in western society, never quite noticed it before.
tie event
"Pot calling the kettle" - I always wondered if there was a racial meaning to that or not?
For what it's worth - very little, probably - I always wore nothing but black on-stage when I was in bands.
suldog--i don't think its origin is racist. here is a discussion of that very topic: http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-64828.html. it begins with this explanation:
"The pot calling the kettle black" comes
from Cervantes' Don Quixote. It means that
one should not criticize another if (s)he is
guilty of doing the same thing. A pot and a
kettle both become black from cooking. The
pot can only see the kettle is black, not that
itself has also turned black.
I, however, am not entirely certain that Cervantes' use is the first.
I gave my Dad a Black Dog shirt and we laughed at the fact that the Black Dog is now a "symbol" of prestige:-).
I too find alternatives when I read negative uses of Black.
just something i've been wondering about for awhile...
mood
dog on your shoulder
Although I'd say "whitewash" could lend itself to negative connotations, i.e., "society's" wish to clean up negative events in the past so their own self-image isn't tarnished.
sai - I don't think I've ever seen a black saree! It must look really elegant. I wear a lot of black clothing too. It goes with everything and you can dress it up or dress it down.
Thank you for telling me about "Krishna" and "Kali!" I really like the name "Kali!" It's so pretty!
mosilager - Good ones! Very interesting how black is far more revered in India. I had no idea.
susan - Oh, I like that one! ; )
barkfoot - There definitely is an "edge" to some terms, but honestly I don't know that I would notice it if it weren't for being black myself. Sometimes it's just a "raw" feeling that I get the way certain words are said.
suldog - I do think there is some racial connotation to it, because many people who would be considered black by others and would call someone else black, didn't want to be called that themselves. It took many years before black people were proud to be called black. They could be fighting words before. Some still don't like it. Maybe this is just usage within the black community. Or I could be totally wrong.
nance - It would be cool to do with a bunch of colors. I may try this again! ; ) I hope your class likes it. And thanks for the explanation of the saying.
jennifer - I do think you're right that there are many different ways to look at the word. I guess the night is always seen as more mysterious than the day, because so much is hidden, because of the dark. So the ideas of dark and black become intermingled. Like when someone says they are "in the dark", but meaning they don't understand something. When they understand, then the "light was turned on" or their thoughts are illuminated.
And I do agree that so many things that are black are beautiful. In the 60's people finally started saying that black is beautiful. I have a funny little story. I wear a lot of black and a guy that I used to work with, who was black too, commented about it. I said black is beautiful and smiled, because of the double entendre. He got all uncomfortable and did not seem one bit amused! He didn't like that one bit!
sanjay - Did you see the poem? If you click on where I mention it or the poem label, you can find it. I may share some more at another time. We'll see!
angela in europe - It's interesting how usage of the word seems to vary across cultures.
bipolarlawyercook - I don't think I've ever heard of the "dog on your shoulder" one. Interesting!
Just another slant on this subject.
Well google are excited about black. Google is my homepage and they have devised Blackle apparently designed to save power. How about that?
>>http://www.blackle.com
I have changed and it stunning opening up on a black page.
I'm often wearing black as well
Cheers
lotus reads - Not weird. It makes sense. I guess if you're blind, black is probably what is always there.
Red is another color that gets a bad rap with being related to sexy, firey, etc.
On a personal note, black is also my favorite color when it comes to clothes. I also had a black cat named Kali :)
adding to the list:
beans and rice
licorice (sp?)
Friday & In the
("in the black" would one example of a good connotation - being financially ahead is nothing good, good, good!
:)
I thought that darker was more beautiful than my pale skin.
Now I understand both are beautiful...but that is the way I felt then.
Jennifer--You raise some really interesting points. I think that the mystery has to do with night but also, to some extent, with exoticizing the other. Not always negative, but it can be if you have one group stereotyping another as "exotic." That adjective, too, can diminish real achievements and feelings.
With a simple list of words you made my brain and heart freeze...then restart, with more.
It is a cultural implication, this concept of dread of dark. Many horror stories begin with "black night" descriptions.
But all in all you really bring forward an intriguing concept. So glad you joined in.
I can't think of any to add right now but bet my brain will be working on it.
Quincy Quinzy!
We moved here from Beverly!
(Err not to distract from your point but I saw MA and got all excited LOL)
Julie
Ravin' Picture Maven
It's amazing how so many people from around the country have some sort of MA connection. And you know how to pronounce Quincy! ; ) LOL!
kim - Welcome! Thank you so much and those are great additions!