Women of color call out Dictionary.com's 'offensive' definition of 'black': 'This needs to change

Yahoo ^ | June 7, 2019 | Paulina Cachero

[EdnaMode]

What is the definition of the word “black?”

According to Dictionary.com, the synonyms associated with the word range from “gloomy,” to “threatening,” to “evil,” and even “soiled.”

The noun section adds that “black” is sometimes capitalized in reference to “a member of any of various dark-skinned peoples,” and “often offensive” when referring to African Americans.

Now, women of color online are demanding a change to the “offensive” connotations of the word.

“Let’s Change The Old, Insulting, Abusive, Objectionable, Hostile, Attacking Definition Of ‘Black/ black,’” wrote one Twitter user. “It’s Not Who We Are Or What We a Stand For. So Let’s Move To Change It And Proudly Represent BLACK, As We Really Are.”

Women of color online are speaking out because they believe “how we define words changes our perception,” explains one social media user, Nyshayla Barnes, a 20-year-old college student and one of the first few to call out Dicitonary.com online.

[MarDav]

This is easily solved. Those who are offended must be offered free vision screening and corrective lenses, if needed. People are not black or white, but varying shades of brown.

[JimRed]

I think they left out the black arts...the sorcery in a pseudo-religion.