The denotative meaning of the word black means the absence of light and the darkest of all colors. By mixing all the colors in the rainbow you also can get the color black. Researching the word black made me think about the connotations of the word and its many meanings that differ from the definition of color in the dictionary. When black is added onto a noun it turns from a color to a negative adjective. I am beginning to understand why many African Americans do not want to be labeled as “ Black”. African American society has taken the negativity of the word and has managed to use it in a positive way.
Black is unclean, depressing, dismal, and nasty. These are some of the synonyms that are in the dictionary. People use this word and don’t know the real meanings. For Example, John decides not to go to college like the rest of his siblings, he is then labeled “The black sheep of the family” (one regarded as a disgrace). A person can also be black hearted (evil or wicked) like the devil or have a black mark (a mark of failure). The Grim Reaper is faceless and wearing a long big black hooded cloak carrying an ax of some sort and is a stranger that has come to lead you into hell. When someone has died in your family you wear the color black to the funeral. Some of the reasons people wear this color are because it represents sadness, mourning and death. Death is a serious thing for one little word to be associated with. I think these are some good reasons why a race of people would not want to be called black.
Black is strong, uplifting, and unified. These are some of the words that have stood in for the negative ones. African Americans realize that they will always be called black so why not make some changes. African Americans have used words like Black Power (the political and economic power of American Blacks concerning equal rights and respect) in their favor and by adding the once negative word it changes the meaning...
Lord, Lord why did you make black?
Why did you make someone the world wants to hold back? Black is the color of dirty clothes, the color of gritty hands and feet. Black is the color of darkness, the color of tire-beaten streets. Why did you give me thick lips? A broad nose and kinky hair? Why did you make someone,who receives the hatred stare. Black is the color of the bruised eye when someone gets hurt,black is the color of darkness, black is the color of dirt. How come my bone sturcture's so thick? My hips and cheeks are high, How comes my eyes are brown, and not the color of daylight sky?
Why do people think I'm useless and how come I feel so used? And why do people see my skin, and think I should be adused. Lord, I just don't understant what is it about my skin? Why do people want to hate me? And I know this ain't the way.They don't like my hair, they say I'm too dark or to light. Lord, don't you think it's time for you to make a change? Why don't you re-do creation, and make everyone the same?
GOdS ANSWERED....
Why did I make you black? Why did I make you black? Get off your knees and look around, tell me what do you see? I didn't make you in the image of darkness, I made you in the likeness of Me. I made you the color of coal, from which diamonds are formed, I made you the color of oil, the black gold that keep people warm. I made you from the rich earth, that can grow the food you need. Your color is the same as the black stallion, a majestic animal is he. I didn't make you the image of darkness, I made you in the likeness of me. All the colors of the heavenly rainbow can be found though every nation, but when all these colors were blended, you became my greatest creation.Your hair the texture of lambs wool, such a humble little creature is he. I am the shephard who watches them. I am the One who will watch over thee. You are the color of midnight sky, I put the stars glitter in your eyes. You are the color of dark clouds fromed when I send my strongest weather. I made your lips full so when you kissed the one you loved, they will remember. Your stature strong, Your bone structure thick, to withstand the burden of time. The reflection you see in the mirrow, the image that looks back is MINE.