These Words And Phrases Have Surprising  And Racist Origins 

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Alyssa Guzik
September 11, 2024

Folks have been saying things for generations without a second thought. Interestingly, though, many words and phrases were meant to cut us down. Here are some examples:

Uppity:  In the Jim Crow South, “uppity” Black folks "didn't know their place." In other words, they refused to act the way white people wanted them to. Sure, Jan.

Nitty Gritty: When you get down to the "nitty gritty" of things, you're getting down to some nasty racism. It's believed that the initial use of the word is connected to the "filth" found at the bottom of slave ships after the enslaved were removed.  This doesn't come as a surprise, given the horrific conditions the enslaved were forced to endure.

Not Seeing Color: This phrase is a dog whistle way for white folks to say that their issue wasn't with someone Black but with behavior. Yet, their issues always seemed to be with Black people and people of color.

It's always a best practice to be mindful of the words and phrases we use, especially those we use for ourselves. What words can we use to speak liberation and healing on ourselves?

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