DISCUSSION GOING FURTHER FOLLOW-UP Examine the Media / 243 - How many “black” w. How many of each ha 2. What reactions do yoi 3. How might black pe about white people? Many of our ideas are formed through language. Our feelings about ourselves often come from words we hear. What di oe ens loes our language imply about white people? About lack people? ‘rds have positive connotations? How about “white” words? Ve negative connotations? 1u have as you look at this list? “Ople feel hearing these words and phrases all the time? How The Black Snowman by Phil Mendez is a beautifully illustrated and controversial picture book that addresses these issues. It addresses use of the word dark in a pejorative sense as well as many examples of black and white in negative and positive ways. The focus then moves to a highly positive image of black and blackness. Students may want to investigate color images in fairy tales, for example the color of clothing worn by different characters and the color of horses ridden. They can compare and contrast these across cultures. “Say It So They'll Hear It,” p. 322; “New Words Help Us,” p. 335. Word, Choice Challenges Racism ‘Although word meanings don't change, students and teachers can be careful not to reinforce positive views of white and negative ones of black in their choice of words. For example, don't create a hero named Colonel White and a villain named Captain Black, as a popular TV show did. When you puton a play, dress the forces of good in black and those of evil in white-or avoid color symbolism entirely. Raise others’ consciousness!