Wrong Word, Message

The use of the appellation “black male” or “black female” to refer to a black man or a black woman perpetuates the dehumanization of black people. “Male” and “female” are primarily adjectives denoting gender. When used as nouns, those words signify a plant or animal of that gender, whereas the primary definitions of “man” and “woman” signify human beings of male and female gender, respectively.

In light of this, consider this text that appeared in the March 4 Calendar article on the Getty photographic exhibition on black life in the mid-1800s: “ . . . a daguerreotype depicting a white family posed in front of their Greek Revival home. In the background is a black male who appears to be planting a tree.” You could have referred to him as a “slave,” a “black slave,” a “male slave,” a “black male slave” or an “enslaved black man.” Each would have been accurate and respectful of the humanity of the people who were enslaved and their descendants.

It is sad that photographs of a people struggling to hold on to its humanity are described 150 years later by words that continue to chip it away.

JOHN FELLOWS

JANET SAVAGE

Los Angeles