As members of a multiracial and multicultural mosaic, we must continually evaluate our conduct towards each other as caring individuals and partners in the social, cultural and political life of our country. Though as citizens of Canada, we are all guaranteed equal rights under the law irrespective of race, gender, religion  or social standing, this ideal may not always be reflected in our dealings with each other at the interpersonal or societal levels. Certain attitudes and practices may still persist, which indicate that we continue to live in a racist world, where every one's sensitivities are neither fully acknowledged, nor fully addressed. Our language for example, continues to exhibit racist and sexist elements.

While a few half-hearted attempts have been made to purge our language of its sexism, a similar effort to expunge its racial overtones has yet to be undertaken.  For example, we are careful to replace phrases such as "humankind" for mankind, or "chairperson" for chairman, but we have not paid attention to the countless colour-coded words and expressions that unconsciously slip out of our mouths as "black" or "white" occurrences. 

Since such utterances are often unintentional, we may  be unaware that they cause hurt to members of certain ethnic groups, particularly the black population.  We have often spoken  of someone's "dark secret" to suggest a heinous deed, or "dark thoughts" to imply evil intent.  What about a "stark reality"as something unpleasant, or "murky waters" as opposed to clear waters? We use "black mass" to connote satanic worship. Inadvertent as these may be, we invariably associate blackness and darkness with evil.  Whiteness and brightness on the other hand often represent truth, purity, goodness and beauty. In Western cultures for example, the bride wears white to symbolize chastity.

This unconscious tendency to see the world as "black" or "white" in terms of evil or goodness is amply demonstrated in  our liturgies as well. Consider the following commonly repeated phrases in our worship services such as : "Praise the Lord, I saw the light" or "God brought believers out of darkness into light" or "On the day of judgment, the faces of those attaining salvation will be lit up and white".  This preoccupation with whiteness as representing goodness is an almost universal phenomenon with examples abounding in scripture from all major faith traditions.

The same is true of literary, journalistic or  expository writing. From very early in our schooling, we are taught to associate anything dismal or ominous with darkness. Consistent with this attitude, a well-known children's classic, " A Little Princess" begins with the phrase" "Once on a dark, winter's day" to suggest that little Sarah Crew would soon meet a fate that would render her penniless. Poetry too, is replete with references to "dark" moods, "dark" thoughts, or "black" day to depict gloom and misery. Poetic expression such as "All I see is darkness and the mist" may suggest confusion, or abysmal despair. Conversely, our objects of adoration are often described as having "golden locks" or "fair skin". Hence the colours "white" and "black"have become standard metaphors for good and evil respectively.

While literature is our treasured heritage and none of the above ought to be deleted from it, a sincere effort to avoid the use of words and expressions with racial overtones may still prove to be a worthwhile exercise. We need to experience more of "black is beautiful" in mainstream Canadian society. Enough of the old cliches about "fair and lovely" or "golden locks"! 

An effort such as the above would be laudable not only from the "political correctness" standpoint, but would also enable us to genuinely become more caring and tolerant human beings.   As  responsible citizens living in a multi-racial and multicultural society, it is now imperative that we advert to the above shortcomings in our language and make a sincere effort to rectify these. English is no longer the exclusive domain of the white Anglo-Saxon population.  What is required therefore is to refine it further, by making it more inclusive of other racial communities and ethnic groups that use it as a vehicle of communication or expression.