Is capitalizing “Black” the ultimate condescension?

I capitalize the word “Black” when referring to Black people. Many of my tribe object to that, since I don’t capitalize “white.” Those objections were expressed by readers most recently in reaction to my latest column.

Here are my reasons for using “Black” to refer to Blacks, in reverse order of importance.

First, the AP Style Manual calls for “Black” to be capitalized. That Manual is not the Bible, but it’s a highly recognized authority in what used to be called journalism.

Relax. As I stated, my reasons are presented here in reverse order of importance. The AP Style Manual is the least important one.

Second, of a little more importance, is that many Blacks want the big “B.” I tend to defer to people’s preferences when it comes to their name, their nationality, their religion and their race. (Not so much their sex.)

If a person named Javier wants a hard pronunciation of the “J” as in “Java” then I’ll give him one even if I think it’s a linguistic butchering. I’ll also give him Gavier and pronounce it Javier if that’s what he prefers.

Similarly, if a person wants to be called a “Jew” rather than “Jewish” then, by God, in my writings it will be so. If a person from Scotland wants to be called “Scottish” rather than “a Scot” then I’ll call him that, at least when I’m not calling him “cheapskate.”

And if Blacks want to be called “Blacks” rather than “blacks” then I will call them that. Heck, I’ll even leave the “c” silent, or not, as they prefer.

I have a friend whose last name is very common, except that there’s a silent “e” at the end. It’s like “Smith” except it’s spelled “Smithe.” (To keep my friend un-named, his real name is neither Smith nor Smithe, but you get the point.)

Along those lines, I would call Black people “Blacke” if that’s what they wanted. I’d leave the “e” silent or not, as they wish. Heck, I’d even enunciate the “c” if they asked me to. It’s their Black privilege to identify their race with their choice of words pronounced as they choose.

Up to a point, anyway. I won’t call them or any other racial or ethnic group a name suggesting superiority, such as “Your Highness.” But I think a big “B” on Black doesn’t imply any superiority.

Now, about whites. I would call whites “Whites” if a significant number of whites wanted that. But whites seem able to live without the privilege of a big “W.” We have other privileges, remember?

Which brings me to my third and biggest reason, which is surely the most sensitive one.

Remember when your kids or grandkids were little and they would play dress-up on Halloween? A girl might be a fairy princess and a boy might be a gladiator. (I know those roles could be reversed today, but bear with me. I haven’t been around young children since before the world went crazy with this gender-bender crap.)

The costumed seven-year-old gladiator might bark orders to the adults around him, like “Bring me my sword!”

The adults around him would play along. “Yes, sir!” they would exclaim. And they would make a show of fetching his rubber sword for him and saluting the boy while sharing a wink among themselves.

So, there you have it. “Black” it is. But don’t ask me to italicize or bold it. That takes another keystroke.