Skip to content

How do we refresh our language? Why do we still use, like…

“How do we refresh our language? Why do we still use, like, a 150-year-old classification system to talk about people? It's so weird! We still call people black and white?” quote by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Download Open image
“How do we refresh our language? Why do we still use, like, a 150-year-old classification system to talk about people? It's so weird! We still call people black and white?”

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

We need to modernize language and discard outdated racial classifications like “black” and “white.”

In simple terms: Language should evolve beyond old racial labels.

Key Takeaway

Advocate for inclusive terminology.

Themes

language race social change

Mood

critical progressive

Type

essay social commentary

When to use this quote

  • education
  • media
  • policy making

Key Concepts

sociolinguistics critical race theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • What new terms could replace old classifications?
  • How can language reform impact societal attitudes?
A Different Perspective

Changing language alone may not change underlying biases.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Explore all 31 Branden Jacobs-Jenkins quotes

More Black and white quotes

Browse all 1,368 Black and white quotes