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Terry Hilldale's avatar

What is your point? The saying originally came from Cervantes' novel, Don Quixote. Another early instance is from a book called Some Fruits of Solitude by William Penn, 1693:

“For a Covetous Man to inveigh against Prodigality, an Atheist against Idolatry, a Tyrant against Rebellion, or a Lyer against Forgery, and a Drunkard against Intemperance, is for the Pot to call the Kettle black.”

A saying is not rendered racist simply because it includes the word "black" even when the phrase has a negative connotation. For example, the phrase "black magic" is very old and has nothing to do with racism. The real problem is the over-simplification of the wide variety of skin tones. My son noticed this oversimplification when he was five and asked me, "Why do people say my friend is black when actually he is brown." Your extremism only alienates allies.

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Jack B's avatar

No the real problem is willful blindness and an attempt to defend the indefensible. When I see that I have wonder the value of such an alliance.

I started this with a "benefit of the doubt" thus the term fossil.

Now I wonder.

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knowltok's avatar

"I think myself an enlightened person but I catch myself doing it some times."

Leads me to wonder the value you bring to any alliance. Something you clearly believe passionately is racist language you catch yourself still using? Maybe more time in a mirror rather than preaching to those who may well be less guilty of overt transgressions than you admit to.

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Jack B's avatar

really? lol

As I have said else where I've been looking at that mirror since I was a child old enough to understand morality.

You and others want to defend using those terms go ahead, it is your soul.

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Terry Hilldale's avatar

Not one person has defended using racist terms. NO ONE.

In fact, the discussion has been counterproductive to your cause. I used to dismiss Trump supporters who claim "the left" (meaning anyone who opposes Trump) find racism in every nook and cranny. I now think they have at least a partial point.

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Terry Hilldale's avatar

You are on the verge of asserting that every instance of a phrase that includes the word "black" in a negative connotation is by definition racist. Is that what you mean?

Not one person here has defended the use of racist language.

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