After I hit publish last night at midnight and I tried to sleep, I realized I should have addressed why I used “Black” and “white” - one is capitalized and one isn’t.
I just posted about this. I won’t capitalize black like I won’t capitalize white when they describe race. They are adjectives that don’t derive from proper nouns. We do capitalize African and European because they do. I’ve received a manuscript back from an editor (who is great) but like Harvard Medical School, Chicago Style has adopted this purely political nonsense. White is not capitalized by their rules, and it reinforces the bigotry of it all.
The fact that this is a point of contention in some circles is mind blowing. I don’t think I’ve ever paid any attention to the capitalization of anything this in-depth.
However, this is an example of how the made up concept of race is used to divide.
Ideally, we stop seeing race, and only see humans —but we’ve been taught to see race so much, we even see it in how we write
For me, I try to simplify it. It’s simply humans vs “anything else.”
Unfortunately that “anything else” has forces us to turn on each other
Right up there with trigger warnings and safe spaces. We have cultivated a society with weak minds and weak people. Thank you western university system.
As I describe further below, the actual objective behind this is psychological. It is to force a continuously repeated visual contrast between the two originally equivalent terms "white" and "black", viscerally/subliminally making one more 'worthy' than the other.
The actual objective behind this is most likely to force a repeated visual contrast between the two (originally equivalent) terms "white" and "Black", viscerally/subliminally showing one more 'worthy' than the other of a kind of recognition, all the while retaining plausible deniability. Very clever.
The ostensible reason, of course, is a supposed community that exists universally among those with (mainly) African origin (as recipients of racism, etc.). Yet, somehow, a community doesn't and can't exist among those of (mainly) European origin, in any way. Even though they still, simultaneously, paint the latter with supposed universal and unavoidable racism, supremacy, etc.. So the proponents certainly won't start using any non-parallel term for this claimed black community, as that would defeat the real purpose.
That there's yet another mind-fuckery cognitive bind here is meant to fly past most people. Continued use of psy-ops like this, each suddenly prevalent out of nowhere, demonstrate TPTB have *zero* respect for their constituents. So much for all their screaming about democracy, which -- if actually implemented -- would instead involve conscious engagement for approval of adoption, rather than manipulation.
Language tricks like this have included, to take another example, the long-running, unverbalized-context "change is good" and "hate is bad" platitudes. Our responses to them should be things like: "Well, the fed gov is now implementing a CHANGE into Trump policies; meanwhile, we know rather well that you HATE Trump. Accordingly, you should put on a happy face about the revolution, and temper your ugly emotions about it." Meanwhile, actions like this have included bathing the Obama White House in LGBT flag light, and the BLM legends painting on public streets.
These all are purposely and clearly meant to provoke, in order to bring about a new, hot/"kinetic" war to the hybrid one they've been running for years. Then, as in other manufactured crises, a new widespread physical/surveillance clampdown can begin as they point their fingers at the scapegoated rebels ... (The one they tried with COVID ultimately failed.)
So in this case, if it bothers you, just capitalize both from now on and be done with it. Some major news outlets already do (I think even CNN, believe it or not, has, or had).
The concept of white guilt is one of the most pernicious and idiotic forms of self abasement to the tiresome notion of racism I've seen come around in recent years. You are right, things like white guilt, language rules, etc are meant to provoke. It's childish, divisive, and without intellectual merit. these ideas are cooked up in the labs of academia where all the stupid cultural ideas are marinated into theories and released as half-baked ideas. It's meant to drive chaos and hatred.
That's so good. Along the same lines of propaganda in language, I was surprised to learn that the term "politically correct" came from Communist Soviet Russia in the 90s....we don't do PC in my household 😉 The same media that uses pronouns and all that won't dare utter "Gulf of America" you see, only THEY can change the language. Complete BS.
🙏 I miss all my buddies on X (I had a couple! Haha) but it’s too much. I deleted it right before I left for treatment. I’ve got a dystopia coming probably in October that breaks all the rules! Always like hearing from you, and thank you for the continued support.
I post on Substack, but I also publish novels. We were talking about a literary trilogy I wrote on American psychopathy. Appreciate your interest. This is the link if you like:
Oh, Sasha. You are caught between a rock and a hard place. Once you know you will be called racist and hate-filled no matter what you do, you might as well do what you want. I give your readers more credit than thinking they will unsubscribe for this reason even as I wish you had written it differently.
Sasha, i’m not unsubscribing because you still fear the mob. I’m not in your shoes so take my comments with grain of salt. I love that you wear your heart on your sleeve. Just pointing out it’s unnecessary to ignore MLK teachings. Either capitalize both or capitalize neither. We are all children of God, no matter the pigment tone of our skin.
Thus spake all the elite, white founding fathers when framing the Constitution. Indigenous Peoples; kidnapped, enslaved Africans; indentured servants; poor, unlanded white people; all written out of the American experience with the scratch of a pen.
Very thoughtful and considerate of you to explain yourself. You are a treasure.
“But these are the rules now of language. If you break them, that becomes the subject of your piece — not just for readers here but for those outside of this space who have been trying to prove for years that I am a “white supremacist” and a racist.” To their rules, I say F#*k them and their rules. 🖕🏻
I’m pretty sure the same people that judge you about these rules, created them out of their own racism. That’s why it’s insufferable.
Good grief, Sasha, don’t overreact. Who, indeed, has a firm grasp of the “proper” stylistics in the midst of the current lunacy? And you’re not required to do penance over every “transgression” that you make and attribute it to your former life on the left. This post reminds me of the “confessions” that intellectuals were required to make during the Red purges in China under Mao. You’re a deep and thoughtful person with a gift for communication that is manifested daily in your work. You’re one of the best on Substack and you don’t owe nobody nuthin’. Be of good cheer!
Sasha: You and I are finite copies of the Creator of the universe. This is the foundation of our political and cultural equality. That is further affirmed by the writings of the Apostle Paul when he wrote, "In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, free or slave..." We are persons and that is more important than anything anyone claims.
But that’s the issue. Progressive and the Left don’t want the masses relaying on religion and the golden rules. Hence all these cultural and racial mountains out of mole hills. They want to make S*** up as they go and move the goal posts just as you are about to score.
The further I go in living the more clearly I seem to discern deep evil. Watching that evil guy fight "with himself" before murdering that defenseless young woman showed me an argument between a person and Satan. That man's ruin is a direct result of the Lies of the Left.
Sasha, the people who follow you aren’t the ones who’ll all walk on the first transgression. We know you’ve had a tough time and been mistreated by the left. Your story is valuable and your voice is important. And you are still working through and struggling with some parts. Subscribers come and go every day in this business. Your writing comes from the heart and that comes through loud and clear in every post. Sasha, You are the best.
To thine own self, be true. You owe no apology to anyone for being authentic to yourself. Explanation isn't necessary but is appreciated. Those that read and feel compelled to call you out are imperfect assclowns themselves.
M'am you worry too much about reactions to your writings and opinions. Now that you are free from the left's lockstep philosophy death grip, stop rationalizing. Write what needs to be written without apologies!
But how is someone actually "free from the left's lockstep philosophy" when that person continues to speak the made-up and coercive language of that lockstep philosophy?
I won’t unsubscribe and mostly understand where you’re coming from.
Personally I won’t and don’t capitalize. As for pronouns I stick with people’s names and when pertinent try to correctly sex them. Gender is a Pandora’s box best left to those consumed by it. I don’t count myself as a member of that group.
Obviously won’t unsubscribe, I appreciate Sasha’s honesty & openness. I think repeating a word or narrative meant to control, even something as seemingly insignificant as what word is capitalized , it’s just one more way to divide us. To pretend & send a message that one race is more important than another through language or practice. Though I don’t think Sasha intends that, it’s just my take. It reminds me of all the ridiculous kneeling that went on in the George Floyd era. Thankfully that ended.
"All the same, I understand if it is too insufferable to tolerate, and you can find info on how to unsub on the main page......"
What the hell......that is a little dramatic.......give your readers/followers a little credit, we can disagree on minor points, without cancelling, or revoking the entire project. You explained your reasoning, while I do not share the same, of course I can tolerate it. Instead of drawing a line in the sand, unfollow me if you do not like it, how about "thats how i feel now, I will keep an open mind on the natter.....most of your readers would be fine with that..peace
"I understand if it is too insufferable to tolerate, and you can find info on how to unsub on the main page." Oh, my goodness. That you suffer any grief from others over this issue totally represents the ridiculousness of the fragile era we are living through. It's the big issues people, the big issues.
I just posted about this. I won’t capitalize black like I won’t capitalize white when they describe race. They are adjectives that don’t derive from proper nouns. We do capitalize African and European because they do. I’ve received a manuscript back from an editor (who is great) but like Harvard Medical School, Chicago Style has adopted this purely political nonsense. White is not capitalized by their rules, and it reinforces the bigotry of it all.
The fact that this is a point of contention in some circles is mind blowing. I don’t think I’ve ever paid any attention to the capitalization of anything this in-depth.
However, this is an example of how the made up concept of race is used to divide.
Ideally, we stop seeing race, and only see humans —but we’ve been taught to see race so much, we even see it in how we write
For me, I try to simplify it. It’s simply humans vs “anything else.”
Unfortunately that “anything else” has forces us to turn on each other
https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/what-humanity-is-supposed-to-look
Right up there with trigger warnings and safe spaces. We have cultivated a society with weak minds and weak people. Thank you western university system.
As I describe further below, the actual objective behind this is psychological. It is to force a continuously repeated visual contrast between the two originally equivalent terms "white" and "black", viscerally/subliminally making one more 'worthy' than the other.
I’m too grammatically captured to capitalize both 😂
good for you! an irreversibly educated man!
The actual objective behind this is most likely to force a repeated visual contrast between the two (originally equivalent) terms "white" and "Black", viscerally/subliminally showing one more 'worthy' than the other of a kind of recognition, all the while retaining plausible deniability. Very clever.
The ostensible reason, of course, is a supposed community that exists universally among those with (mainly) African origin (as recipients of racism, etc.). Yet, somehow, a community doesn't and can't exist among those of (mainly) European origin, in any way. Even though they still, simultaneously, paint the latter with supposed universal and unavoidable racism, supremacy, etc.. So the proponents certainly won't start using any non-parallel term for this claimed black community, as that would defeat the real purpose.
That there's yet another mind-fuckery cognitive bind here is meant to fly past most people. Continued use of psy-ops like this, each suddenly prevalent out of nowhere, demonstrate TPTB have *zero* respect for their constituents. So much for all their screaming about democracy, which -- if actually implemented -- would instead involve conscious engagement for approval of adoption, rather than manipulation.
Language tricks like this have included, to take another example, the long-running, unverbalized-context "change is good" and "hate is bad" platitudes. Our responses to them should be things like: "Well, the fed gov is now implementing a CHANGE into Trump policies; meanwhile, we know rather well that you HATE Trump. Accordingly, you should put on a happy face about the revolution, and temper your ugly emotions about it." Meanwhile, actions like this have included bathing the Obama White House in LGBT flag light, and the BLM legends painting on public streets.
These all are purposely and clearly meant to provoke, in order to bring about a new, hot/"kinetic" war to the hybrid one they've been running for years. Then, as in other manufactured crises, a new widespread physical/surveillance clampdown can begin as they point their fingers at the scapegoated rebels ... (The one they tried with COVID ultimately failed.)
So in this case, if it bothers you, just capitalize both from now on and be done with it. Some major news outlets already do (I think even CNN, believe it or not, has, or had).
You said this very well and I agree.
The concept of white guilt is one of the most pernicious and idiotic forms of self abasement to the tiresome notion of racism I've seen come around in recent years. You are right, things like white guilt, language rules, etc are meant to provoke. It's childish, divisive, and without intellectual merit. these ideas are cooked up in the labs of academia where all the stupid cultural ideas are marinated into theories and released as half-baked ideas. It's meant to drive chaos and hatred.
They’re meant to provoke, intimidate & demoralize.
Agreed, 100%.....
That's so good. Along the same lines of propaganda in language, I was surprised to learn that the term "politically correct" came from Communist Soviet Russia in the 90s....we don't do PC in my household 😉 The same media that uses pronouns and all that won't dare utter "Gulf of America" you see, only THEY can change the language. Complete BS.
...capitalize all colors of the rainbow! What a fab idea. Then nobody's wrong, and nobody's racist. Purple, Green, Blue, Orange, yay
Unrelated to this: Though I can understand why you left I miss you on X.
Just got your latest on the ‘Zone and I’ll reading it very soon.
🙏 I miss all my buddies on X (I had a couple! Haha) but it’s too much. I deleted it right before I left for treatment. I’ve got a dystopia coming probably in October that breaks all the rules! Always like hearing from you, and thank you for the continued support.
Where can I read your posts? Substack?
I post on Substack, but I also publish novels. We were talking about a literary trilogy I wrote on American psychopathy. Appreciate your interest. This is the link if you like:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVL9HMZQ?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_awt_sb_pc_tkin
Thanks. They look interesting. Looks like a theme with a rich vein of material.
🙏
You might not like A Pale Song as it continues the study of American psychopathy. It’s intense and the lowest reviewed of the three but 🤷♂️
I’m good with intensity. It’s the time we’re living in.
Agreed on X. I go on Sabbaticals from it every so often because it’s just … too much. Every. Day.
Stay well.
Oh, Sasha. You are caught between a rock and a hard place. Once you know you will be called racist and hate-filled no matter what you do, you might as well do what you want. I give your readers more credit than thinking they will unsubscribe for this reason even as I wish you had written it differently.
Sasha, i’m not unsubscribing because you still fear the mob. I’m not in your shoes so take my comments with grain of salt. I love that you wear your heart on your sleeve. Just pointing out it’s unnecessary to ignore MLK teachings. Either capitalize both or capitalize neither. We are all children of God, no matter the pigment tone of our skin.
I agree, you choose. For me, both white and black will remain lowercase in my writing because to me that makes sense.
Very well said, Susan.
Thank you, Mary. I know it is what many of us were thinking.
It's simple.
Don't capitalize colors.
Ignore the pronoun nonsense.
There are waaaaaay more important things to focus on in life.
Yes!!! Emphatically Yes!!
Thus spake all the elite, white founding fathers when framing the Constitution. Indigenous Peoples; kidnapped, enslaved Africans; indentured servants; poor, unlanded white people; all written out of the American experience with the scratch of a pen.
Very thoughtful and considerate of you to explain yourself. You are a treasure.
“But these are the rules now of language. If you break them, that becomes the subject of your piece — not just for readers here but for those outside of this space who have been trying to prove for years that I am a “white supremacist” and a racist.” To their rules, I say F#*k them and their rules. 🖕🏻
I’m pretty sure the same people that judge you about these rules, created them out of their own racism. That’s why it’s insufferable.
And should be actively resisted & rejected.
Good grief, Sasha, don’t overreact. Who, indeed, has a firm grasp of the “proper” stylistics in the midst of the current lunacy? And you’re not required to do penance over every “transgression” that you make and attribute it to your former life on the left. This post reminds me of the “confessions” that intellectuals were required to make during the Red purges in China under Mao. You’re a deep and thoughtful person with a gift for communication that is manifested daily in your work. You’re one of the best on Substack and you don’t owe nobody nuthin’. Be of good cheer!
Sasha: You and I are finite copies of the Creator of the universe. This is the foundation of our political and cultural equality. That is further affirmed by the writings of the Apostle Paul when he wrote, "In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, free or slave..." We are persons and that is more important than anything anyone claims.
But that’s the issue. Progressive and the Left don’t want the masses relaying on religion and the golden rules. Hence all these cultural and racial mountains out of mole hills. They want to make S*** up as they go and move the goal posts just as you are about to score.
The further I go in living the more clearly I seem to discern deep evil. Watching that evil guy fight "with himself" before murdering that defenseless young woman showed me an argument between a person and Satan. That man's ruin is a direct result of the Lies of the Left.
To drive chaos, confusion and separation leading to dominance of their view of how the world should be run. It's all so juvenile.
Indeed
Sasha, the people who follow you aren’t the ones who’ll all walk on the first transgression. We know you’ve had a tough time and been mistreated by the left. Your story is valuable and your voice is important. And you are still working through and struggling with some parts. Subscribers come and go every day in this business. Your writing comes from the heart and that comes through loud and clear in every post. Sasha, You are the best.
Agree!
I grant you space to become who you are to become. Now, write with freedom and abandon.
To thine own self, be true. You owe no apology to anyone for being authentic to yourself. Explanation isn't necessary but is appreciated. Those that read and feel compelled to call you out are imperfect assclowns themselves.
M'am you worry too much about reactions to your writings and opinions. Now that you are free from the left's lockstep philosophy death grip, stop rationalizing. Write what needs to be written without apologies!
But how is someone actually "free from the left's lockstep philosophy" when that person continues to speak the made-up and coercive language of that lockstep philosophy?
I won’t unsubscribe and mostly understand where you’re coming from.
Personally I won’t and don’t capitalize. As for pronouns I stick with people’s names and when pertinent try to correctly sex them. Gender is a Pandora’s box best left to those consumed by it. I don’t count myself as a member of that group.
Obviously won’t unsubscribe, I appreciate Sasha’s honesty & openness. I think repeating a word or narrative meant to control, even something as seemingly insignificant as what word is capitalized , it’s just one more way to divide us. To pretend & send a message that one race is more important than another through language or practice. Though I don’t think Sasha intends that, it’s just my take. It reminds me of all the ridiculous kneeling that went on in the George Floyd era. Thankfully that ended.
Mine would be to encourage you to rebel against such an arbitrary "rule" and either use the upper-case 'w', the lower-case 'b'.
There is no grammatical justification or rationale for such to be included in a writing style standard.
Uphold the proud tradition of breaking senseless rules.
"All the same, I understand if it is too insufferable to tolerate, and you can find info on how to unsub on the main page......"
What the hell......that is a little dramatic.......give your readers/followers a little credit, we can disagree on minor points, without cancelling, or revoking the entire project. You explained your reasoning, while I do not share the same, of course I can tolerate it. Instead of drawing a line in the sand, unfollow me if you do not like it, how about "thats how i feel now, I will keep an open mind on the natter.....most of your readers would be fine with that..peace
The way you alwys assume scores of people will unfollow for each transgression is so sad . But unfortunately probably very true
Agree. Creating and publishing with the fear of being berated is somewhat tragic - but also what happens when you’ve been cancelled.
"I understand if it is too insufferable to tolerate, and you can find info on how to unsub on the main page." Oh, my goodness. That you suffer any grief from others over this issue totally represents the ridiculousness of the fragile era we are living through. It's the big issues people, the big issues.
A bit of unsolicited input: you don't need to encourage people to unsubscribe for every self-perceived slip up.
I get the impression that the “feel free to unsub” is more like a “don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out” message.