Words and Race

I believe that Professor Kwaku Person-Lynn (Voices, Nov. 28, “Language Keeps Racism Alive”) had something of value to say. However, his manipulation of word definitions was truly outrageous.

To begin with, word processor programs do not provide extensive word definitions with the many variable meanings that exist in the English language.

Secondly, when I turned to my dictionary (The Concise Oxford English Dictionary) to see how it defined ethnic I was given the following:

1. a. (of a social group) having a common national or cultural tradition, b. (of clothes, etc.) resembling those of a non-European exotic people

2. denoting origin by birth or descent rather than by nationality (ethnic Turks)

3. relating to race or culture (ethnic group; ethnic origins)

4 (archaic) pagan, heathen

In order to control our language we have to be aware of its origins. It is imperative that we know ethnic once meant a heathen person so we can ensure that it never happen again. Person-Lynn is just as guilty with his manipulation of word meanings to validate his argument as those who use language to demean and control others.

NANCY PERRY

Santa Monica