2 ms·

Does "blacklist" really have an extremely charged history? I've not found a source suggesting that. I've found sources saying that the term "black sheep" is rac

Does "blacklist" really have an extremely charged history? I've not found a source suggesting that. I've found sources saying that the term "black sheep" is racist, and I find that idea backwards. "Black sheep" did not become a term to point out individuals that strongly deviate from the norm because of Africans. They did so, because they were rare and stood out (just like people who strongly deviate from the norm), like black swans being very rare but possible. I get the feeling that there's a lot of hysteria involved where "black" is now a taboo word and every usage of it is considered "because of racist motives".

lowmagnet 6y ago
The use of blacklist has been mostly employment-related, and is unrelated to racial issues. Consider why we think black=bad/sin, white=good/pure, however. These are arbitrary choices.
- luckylion 6y ago
  > The use of blacklist has been mostly employment-related, and is unrelated to racial issues. Exactly, but it's mentioned as being so. > Consider why we think black=bad/sin, white=good/pure, however. These are arbitrary choices. And they're not because of "omg black people". The concept is far older than the transatlantic slave trade and is mostly about opposites, because it's literally black and white. Not brown and grey/pink/reddish-depending-on-weather. White skin tone isn't white, black skin tone isn't black. The use of black and white as polar opposites was not invented after the 16th century.