Here’s a Medium piece critiquing a mistaken Washington Post headline—picky to be sure—though I sent the boys and girls at the Post an email a few days ago.

Oops—another Medium story by the Author

Evans’ Rag

Vol 3 Issue 23

It’s Simple as Black then White

A bone to pick about the English language in the present discussion, and I’m speaking for Steven Pinker and those who insist how one chooses to write matters.

We’re talking Black & White

I take no exception to capitalizing ‘Black’ the same way one capitalizes ‘African American,‘ Native American,’ etc. Even though Black strikes me as less accurate—skin tones coming in a wide range like they do. Moreover, to be kind, even the idea of race as distinct and cast for all times is ignorant. Race is only shorthand and too often misused.

What I do argue is to use ‘White’ in the same fashion as ‘Black,’ and avoid the lower case version the way it used to be applied. Why, you may ask? All people, all colors and ethnicities, deserve equal respect—even Whites.

And white, like black, does little other than create divisions where none need exist.

And what to do about Asians? Oh, dear, some are fair skinned and others are darker. Oh dear, another conundrum.

‘African American’ requires seven syllables and two words—and I’m not one for using so much real estate where a short word can do the job—it has a nice sound and at least it talks of origins and respect.

Europeans were the majority of immigrant colonials in this country—excepting their African slaves—so I’ve taken to using ‘European’ instead of ‘white’ when writing of the early colonials, particularly in their interactions with Native Americans.

Europeans were the origin sinners bringing slavery to the colonies, though their offspring didn’t much complain.

My very proper Siberian Husky (yes, her ancestors came from a very chilly place) likes to sniff the butts of mixed breeds, for god sake, and she seems to treat them equally. It’s true when she meets another Husky, she gets more demonstrative, but that’s just the way Huskies greet each other. But please don’t get her started on cats.

So in this week’s blog, you’ll find I’m calling out authors—politely—to correct their capitalizations. If it’s ‘Black’ then it’s ‘White.’

Manners, people, else we’ll be going to the dogs—excuse me, Layla—cats.