Estwald
2 min readDec 7, 2020

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"That doesn't appear to be the case all the time..."

I said, "Many of us...," not “All of us... ."

It may surprise you to learn that I have indeed "educated" myself and am familiar with the perspectives expressed by Alexandra Tsuneta and by the authors she recommends. I have also given consideration to those who express alternative perspectives. After exposing myself to as many aspects as possible concerning the topics herein under discussion I have drawn my own conclusions and developed my own perspectives. I am an independent thinker.

I am well aware of the reasons often cited by those who choose to capitalize the term "Black" but not "white." Those who choose that course are welcome to do so if doing so has significance to them, it is of little consequence to me.

It is common knowledge that the practice of capitalizing the term "Black" while not doing so with the term "white" can be controversial. Your earlier comment indicates that you are well aware of the criticism that the practice can draw.

Posting a criticism of the practice can provoke a debate that the critic cannot win; the reason being that there is no way for the critic to force his adversary cease the practice to which the critic objects. Since the adversary cannot be forced to cease the objectionable practice, there is no meaningful way for the critic to "win" that debate. The unwinnable nature of the debate is the "hook" that is concealed in the "bait."

Under those circumstances it would be foolish to allow oneself to be baited into an unwinnable debate. The critic would be better served by simply refusing to engage in the objectionable practice himself - either by capitalizing both terms, or by capitalizing neither, in his own writing. Doing so would place his adversary in a similar position of having to object to a practice that he cannot prevent.

As far as I'm concerned those who prefer to capitalize the term "Black" but not the term "white" can do as they wish and those who object to that practice can also do as they wish. I, personally, do not find the issue to be one that is important enough to battle over. It is not the hill that I would die on. I would choose more important battles. I won't take the bait.

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Estwald
Estwald

Written by Estwald

Good Natured Curmudgeon-Which reality is the real reality?

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