I remember being a kid and using the word “gyp” as a synonym for “rip off”. I stopped using the term years ago, not because I realized that it was a hurtful racist slur (it is) but because the language I use to describe things became changed. It wasn’t until a friend of mine posted some information on terms we commonly think of as innocuous but are not, that I began to understand that it is not enough to simply not be a racist, not for me anyway. I would like to normalize non-racist terms to describe people or behaviours.
Take gyp, for instance, it is derived from the word Gypsy both terms racial slurs used to describe people of Romani descent. I used to call myself a Gypsy but I won’t be using that term again to describe anyone else and I even threw out my Gypsy costume. Once I know, I cannot un-know and pretend it’s okay. I equate it to going Black Face.
Some of the adults in my family could occasionally be heard talking about the Indigenous people who lived on a reserve in my area, referring to them as Squas and Indians. I struck these terms from my vocabulary years ago and abandoned old attitudes as I did recognize them as racist when I was younger.
“Long time no see” or “no can do” are phrases I’ve frequently used but I just recently read that they were phrases used to mock the speach patterns of Chinese immigrants or Indigenous people. I recently watched season one of the Lone Ranger. My mind was blown by the blatent use of racial slurs and denigrating language used towards Tonto as well as the script written for the character. Just go ahead and watch an episode, you can find it on Tubi, and you’ll see what I mean.
Eenie meenie minie moe was even racist speach for the original version used the “N” word. I learned to use a different word (tigger, like from Whinnie the Pooh) but I did not stop using the rhyme. It is now tainted for me.
Is it enough to just not be a racist? No, I must learn what is hurtful to my fellow humans and actively change the narrative rather than be a passive bystander who happens to not be racist. I must eliminate terms and phrases born of racial hatred and white supremacy. I must find ways to support equality that are within my means and ability.
Please note this is by no means a complete list. I will keep researching and keep the language I use evolving.
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My Phoenix Rising 