Let’s cut to the chase. Spook is a word with racist origins. Historically, it meant “apparition” or “specter.” Over time, it was used to refer to ghosts or spies. But during World War II, “spook” became a slur against Black people. Here’s why it matters right now.
Every year around Halloween, corporations begin capitalizing on the word, overlooking its racist history. The truth is, capitalism and racism go hand in hand. We don’t have to lose sleep over the word “spook” when we can flip the whole thing on its head.
Become “The Spook Who Sat By The Door.” The 1973 film is based on Sam Greenlee's novel about Dan Freeman, a Black CIA recruit hired to fill a token “diversity” slot. But Freeman played the game better than anyone expected. After completing the CIA’s guerrilla warfare and weaponry training, Freeman resigned and took the techniques to Chicago to train and lead a group of Black Freedom Fighters.
Subverting their system to fuel our liberation? Now that’s spooky — in the best way. As corporations play in our faces this season, there’s no better time to lean into this energy.
Every day we navigate a systemically anti-Black world. While our focus must be on building a liberated Black future, the present still demands action. Will you spook the system or let it spook you?