John McWhorter teaches linguistics, philosophy, American Studies and music at Columbia University. His latest book is THE LANGUAGE HOAX.
Excerpt
In his new book, ‘Words on the Move,’ John McWhorter delights in the fluidity of language, how it never stands still but flows and morphs like the living thing it is.
HOT AIR
The year of universal praise for the play “Hamilton” was not meant to last, as those who make a career of finding racial flaws were biding their time.
FACING UP
Yes, black lives taken by cops matter. But so do black lives taken by other blacks. BLM won’t win over America until it acknowledges this.
MEANS TO END
While many in this country refuse to accept the truth about what happened in Ferguson, it did at least start a much needed conversation about policing.
BOW DOWN
Opposition to racism used to be a political stance. Now it has every marking of a religion, with both good and deleterious effects on American society.
SURVIVING
Here’s how African-Americans can and will play the same game everyone else is, even if the rules are stacked against them. Demanding new rules or a new game is unrealistic and demeaning.
Changes
Essay-level writing as a basic skill is no longer the norm. Speaking is, however, and that style has influenced our writing. Get over it, grammarians.
SWING AND A MISS
Sorry, folks: There are a lot of reasons Baltimore is in such dire straits, and making excuses for the riots and looting helps no one.
CONFIRMATION BIAS
Rolling Stone’s ‘Jackie’ retraction is just the latest example—from O.J. to Duke lacrosse—of political correctness dividing metaphorical truth from the actual truth.