Because I disagree with those authors and I think making "black" into an identity is, in every sense, a step in the wrong direction. I use the word black as a descriptor (even though my skin isn't technically black), so I don't capitalise it, any more than I'd capitalise any other descriptor.
Because I disagree with those authors and I think making "black" into an identity is, in every sense, a step in the wrong direction. I use the word black as a descriptor (even though my skin isn't technically black), so I don't capitalise it, any more than I'd capitalise any other descriptor.
Sometimes an editor will insist on capitalising "black," in which case I'll insist that they capitalise "white" too. But my preference is to do everything in my power to refute the idea that this minor physical characteristic is meaningful.
"You use "black" in lower case. Why?"
Because I disagree with those authors and I think making "black" into an identity is, in every sense, a step in the wrong direction. I use the word black as a descriptor (even though my skin isn't technically black), so I don't capitalise it, any more than I'd capitalise any other descriptor.
Sometimes an editor will insist on capitalising "black," in which case I'll insist that they capitalise "white" too. But my preference is to do everything in my power to refute the idea that this minor physical characteristic is meaningful.