I don't capitalize "black" since it is not a proper noun, it's a color. I do, however, like to use "Persons of Color" (POCs) and "Persons of Pallor" (POPs).
Oh, right. It was Sugar Pops, not Corn Pops. I'd wager that "Corn Pop" was the first thing that popped into Old Yeller's mind when he first spun his yarn.
Interesting. One can’t “descend” much lower than to the mind of the 7-year-old envisioning himself as a gladiator, so I would call that “the ultimate condescension.” Now, are you suggesting that a “brother” who envisions himself as a proper noun is analogous to this 7-year-old and should be humored (wink, wink) because, after all, mentally he’s just a child? If so, then the answer to the question posed by your title is “Yes,” is it not?
As for the AP style manual, not only is it not the Bible, but the AP itself is of the Devil, IMO. I’d cut myself loose from it.
You make great points, Glenn---but I will stay with lower-case letters for colors. I would, however, capitalize Negro or some other race that would use a proper descriptor. Incidentally, is Negro still OK? I notice the NAACP hasn't changed their nomenclature for the "C" initial. Finally, my college of record (same as Bitter Klinger's) constantly mentions a class member from 1968 since he was the president of the NAACP for a while, BUT, NO mention of another famous alumnus, Ron Paul!! And the school wonders why many of us refuse to donate anymore. (I know, most of this was totally non-germane! Sorry. Soapbox was calling.)
Not really, B.K. Alumni is plural for all genders, but Ron Paul cannot be called alumni because he is singular, right? But that was from 9th grade Latin in Jr. Hi. LOL
LOL! I was taught singular man = alumnus; plural men, plural both genders = alumni; singular woman = alumna; plural women = alumnae. That was from 1961! Didn't realize Latin was a privilege! More of a millstone. LOL
I always use these great rules of capitalizing the word “Black” — whenever the word black is the first word in a sentence, or whenever the word black is a given surname, as in Mr. Black.
To each his own regarding names and "style" I suppose but as for myself I use black, white, and Latino (Latino because it represents, in my mind, a language base) and no other of what used to be called PC words. As an example, If someone wants me to call him aardvark I will politely refuse.
It is ironic that those who most stridently demand respect are the ones most often the least deserving of it. I suppose it is mere coincidence that yesterday I was traveling home in my pick-up after spending the day with my grandson working on his latest home improvement project when I could find nothing on the radio to occupy my mind as I travelled, so I popped in an old CD. (Yes, both I and my truck are old enough to play them). It happened to be James Brown's Greatest Hits. (Again yes, I really like JB and think he was, in fact, the hardest working man in show business. His personal lifestyle choices perhaps not so admirable.) Anyway, the first track that played was "Say It Loud, (I'm Black & I'm Proud)." Very catchy tune, as always with JB, but I couldn't help improving the lyrics by substituting "Say It Right (You wish You Were White)" when the chorus came around. Same melody; more truthful lyric. I think it is incontrovertible that the insistence on claiming "pride" in something for which one has no personal responsibility is proof of one's actual shame. Much the same with the homosexual and transexual "pride" phenomenon. The louder and more insistent such people become in professing "pride" in their condition, the more one can assume that it is shame that motivates them. Thus endeth today's lesson. Class dismissed.
Interesting theory that it's shame that motivates them. My own theory is that it's a desire for attention by people who have not succeeded in getting it any other way. People's need for attention is underestimated.
Sir with a silent e at the end would be more appropriate for this young Black man.
I don't capitalize "black" since it is not a proper noun, it's a color. I do, however, like to use "Persons of Color" (POCs) and "Persons of Pallor" (POPs).
LOL: PoP! Good one!
Yeah, but then what was Corn Pop?
A popular, sickeningly sweet cereal product in the 1960s and 70s.
“Sugar Pops are tops!” but Corn Pop was a bad dude . . . and not so pallid.
Oh, right. It was Sugar Pops, not Corn Pops. I'd wager that "Corn Pop" was the first thing that popped into Old Yeller's mind when he first spun his yarn.
I remember the character "Sugar Pops Pete."
Interesting. One can’t “descend” much lower than to the mind of the 7-year-old envisioning himself as a gladiator, so I would call that “the ultimate condescension.” Now, are you suggesting that a “brother” who envisions himself as a proper noun is analogous to this 7-year-old and should be humored (wink, wink) because, after all, mentally he’s just a child? If so, then the answer to the question posed by your title is “Yes,” is it not?
As for the AP style manual, not only is it not the Bible, but the AP itself is of the Devil, IMO. I’d cut myself loose from it.
P.S. — Should I have capitalized “brother”? What to do!?!
You have to ask the b(B)rothers. Didn't you read the column, C(c)had?
Hey, by convention my name IS a proper noun, quite apart from what I want it to be. Don’t go all
e. e. cummings on me, yo. Linguistic anarchy is unbecoming in a lawyer.
You make great points, Glenn---but I will stay with lower-case letters for colors. I would, however, capitalize Negro or some other race that would use a proper descriptor. Incidentally, is Negro still OK? I notice the NAACP hasn't changed their nomenclature for the "C" initial. Finally, my college of record (same as Bitter Klinger's) constantly mentions a class member from 1968 since he was the president of the NAACP for a while, BUT, NO mention of another famous alumnus, Ron Paul!! And the school wonders why many of us refuse to donate anymore. (I know, most of this was totally non-germane! Sorry. Soapbox was calling.)
“Alumnus” is sexist, yo. 🧐
Not really, B.K. Alumni is plural for all genders, but Ron Paul cannot be called alumni because he is singular, right? But that was from 9th grade Latin in Jr. Hi. LOL
Oh sure, George, rely on the arcane inflections of a dead language from a dead civilization to justify your privilege 😁 .
LOL! I was taught singular man = alumnus; plural men, plural both genders = alumni; singular woman = alumna; plural women = alumnae. That was from 1961! Didn't realize Latin was a privilege! More of a millstone. LOL
I always use these great rules of capitalizing the word “Black” — whenever the word black is the first word in a sentence, or whenever the word black is a given surname, as in Mr. Black.
Black is back.
To each his own regarding names and "style" I suppose but as for myself I use black, white, and Latino (Latino because it represents, in my mind, a language base) and no other of what used to be called PC words. As an example, If someone wants me to call him aardvark I will politely refuse.
By the way, adding an “e” to “Black” takes an extra keystroke.
It is ironic that those who most stridently demand respect are the ones most often the least deserving of it. I suppose it is mere coincidence that yesterday I was traveling home in my pick-up after spending the day with my grandson working on his latest home improvement project when I could find nothing on the radio to occupy my mind as I travelled, so I popped in an old CD. (Yes, both I and my truck are old enough to play them). It happened to be James Brown's Greatest Hits. (Again yes, I really like JB and think he was, in fact, the hardest working man in show business. His personal lifestyle choices perhaps not so admirable.) Anyway, the first track that played was "Say It Loud, (I'm Black & I'm Proud)." Very catchy tune, as always with JB, but I couldn't help improving the lyrics by substituting "Say It Right (You wish You Were White)" when the chorus came around. Same melody; more truthful lyric. I think it is incontrovertible that the insistence on claiming "pride" in something for which one has no personal responsibility is proof of one's actual shame. Much the same with the homosexual and transexual "pride" phenomenon. The louder and more insistent such people become in professing "pride" in their condition, the more one can assume that it is shame that motivates them. Thus endeth today's lesson. Class dismissed.
Interesting theory that it's shame that motivates them. My own theory is that it's a desire for attention by people who have not succeeded in getting it any other way. People's need for attention is underestimated.