Hey, Watch Your Language

It is important to learn about language when talking about race relations and gender equality because it is so commonly used to make a group of people appear subordinate to another. For example, Bert Williams, a famous black artist who lived during the Vaudeville era, spoke as black people were portrayed to speak; as if they were less intelligent and naïve, even though he was an educated man and spoke like educated white men. This was an important part of the black caricature because speech is something that unites groups of people and helps people identify with one another. When black people were portrayed to speak as if they were "simple," it allowed whites to distance themselves from them and dehumanize them because something that was such a fundamental element in their everyday lives was different.

Although some language might not be considered vulgar, it still encourages stereotypes about groups that are offensive. A modern example would be the phrase, "you run like a girl." Most of the people in today's society do not take offense to this phrase and find it humorous. However, this implies that girls are weak, un-athletic, incapable, etc. More importantly, it is implied that girls are weak compared to boys. This puts males in a higher position than females; making females subordinate to them in that way which is offensive. Although people may not be consciously making those connections, it is very likely that they are subconsciously, and that is where stereotypes do the most damage.