# Why capitalize "Black"? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 1, 2023, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455 "2023-01-01T09:50:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/261 "2023-01-03T21:33:26Z")
Sorry, just really, really tired of that happening here ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/262 "2023-01-03T21:35:07Z")
I understand the impetus, but time and place, man. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/263 "2023-01-03T21:36:48Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > _another_ Englishman I mean, also this. Is it necessary? I haven’t read the whole thread, but whatever the other people did to you, is it because they’re English, or something else? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/264 "2023-01-03T21:38:17Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > So back up your claim of my hypocrisy on the subject of dialogue if it is so obvious. Should be simple to do no? I gave all the evidence in my original post, and I have enough experience with your obstinate stupidity to know there’s zero chance that explaining it with small words, diagrams, and puppets will help you see it. I am content to point at you and laugh, knowing that you’re not someone with the capacity for change. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/265 "2023-01-03T21:38:32Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I mean, also this. Is it necessary? No, not _necessary_. Effective? Sure. In my home language “Englishman” is a bit more _complicated_ a word than just a ethnonym. It’s not a pejorative, though. > [@Mangetout](#): > > whatever the other people did to you, is it because they’re English, or something else? No, I’m pretty sure _that’s_ not it. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/266 "2023-01-03T21:39:15Z")
Alright. Away is where I’ll step. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/267 "2023-01-03T21:40:33Z")
No part of that sentence would have made it any better for you. Context just makes you look even more shitty. Can you even explain how the context of what you are listening for changes the fact that you are here to hear specific things, and ignore everything else? Look, you come here to shit in the threads. No thread has ever been better for your participation. You aren’t here to learn, you aren’t here to share, you are just here to try to make others as miserable as you are. Sad pathetic life that you have. I’d feel sorry for you, but I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/268 "2023-01-03T21:44:41Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Have you _ever_ posted anything in good faith? I’ve never seen it. Then you are very unobservant, incredibly prejudiced or simply not interested in the many other subjects that I take part in. I recently created two new threads on the McLaren MP4/4 and the bullshit program of Graham Hancock on Netflix. Nothing bad faith there. Recent contributions on the passing of the previous pope and on wishing people a “merry christmas”. No shortage of opiniated posters on there but no problem with batting around ideas and having a productive discussion. Cricket, Music, World Cup, medical issues. The list goes on and never do I have a problem either with understanding or being understood. the “bad faith” accusation is only with a certain small group of posters, only when certain territory is entered, only when I don’t automatically adhere to a certain line. Funny that. It’d be interesting if it weren’t so tediously predictable. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/269 "2023-01-03T21:45:52Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > It’d be interesting if it weren’t so tediously predictable. Take out the second letter in “it,” and you’re spot on. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/270 "2023-01-03T21:47:35Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Then you are very unobservant, incredibly prejudiced or simply not interested in the many other subjects that I take part in. Or maybe I only notice you when you are shitting on the carpet. But you do shit on the carpet a lot. > [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > the “bad faith” accusation is only with a certain small group of posters, only when certain territory is entered, only when I don’t automatically adhere to a certain line. Funny that. It’d be interesting if it weren’t so tediously predictable. No, it’s when you shit on the carpet and insist on everyone complimenting the aroma. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/271 "2023-01-03T21:48:07Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > the “bad faith” accusation is only with a certain small group of posters Brown ones… > [@](#): > > , only when certain territory is entered, …minority issues… > [@](#): > > only when I don’t automatically adhere to a certain line. …“listen to minorities” is indeed a line you won’t adhere to, that’s obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/272 "2023-01-03T21:49:15Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I gave all the evidence in my original post, You gave none and still haven’t. Zero. Your usual MO. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/273 "2023-01-03T21:51:11Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > You gave none and still haven’t. _Chef’s kiss_ ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/274 "2023-01-03T21:54:56Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > You’ve done it in this very thread, when you questioned whether my usage of Black would be acceptable to 3 Black actors. Rather than just listening and saying “thanks for the example”, you fucking _interrogated_ it like I was an innocent pedestrian being nabbed under a sus law. You just can’t help yourself can you? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/275 "2023-01-03T21:55:44Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > You just can’t help yourself can you? If this were your internal dialogue, I’d have hope that maybe you had the capacity for growth. Alas. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/276 "2023-01-03T22:01:25Z")
So that’s a “no” on the apology, I take it? This is my shocked face: 😶 ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/277 "2023-01-03T22:01:29Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Or maybe I only notice you when you are shitting on the carpet. Well your honest response could have been, “ah yes, I see you do indeed post in bad faith”. Or you could ignore that, double down and do a joke about shit…let’s find out viewers! > [@k9bfriender](#): > > No, it’s when you shit on the carpet and insist on everyone complimenting the aroma. ah, that’s dissappointing. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/278 "2023-01-03T22:11:32Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > So that’s a “no” on the apology, I take it? This is my shocked face: 😶 Did I tell you you were wrong? Or did I ask further questions? Did those questions lead to your response… > [@MrDibble](#): > > I’m sure the way they use it is _part of_ the way I use it. That there is no disagreement between us as to whether _they_ are Black or not. They may consider more, or different, people Black than I do, or _vice versa_. That’s not a problem, as far as I can see. And my response to this answer was? Was it disagreement? was it me telling you you were wrong? Actually it was none of the above. I didn’t respond at all and for that I _do_ sincerely apologise. It was a fair and full answer to my question and deserved acknowledgement from me. I know you think my only appropriate response is to nod, pat you on the head, tell you you are right and shut up but I’m not going to do that if there is more to learn, more to explore and more to discuss. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/279 "2023-01-03T22:16:52Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > No, it’s when you shit on the carpet and insist on everyone complimenting the aroma Captains of Industry and holders of the Great Offices of State sit at Novelty’s feet to learn how to communicate [in the passive voice], don’t you know. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455/280 "2023-01-03T22:21:02Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > Captains of Industry and holders of the Great Offices of State sit at Novelty’s feet to learn how to communicate [in the passive voice], don’t you know. “passive voice” for a full house! Knew you couldn’t resist it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capitalize-black/977455.md?page=15)