Words You Say Every Day That Were Built on Hate”

Language is powerful. The words we use can either uplift or harm. Many of us grew up using phrases or terms without understanding where they came from or who they might offend. But just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s right.

In this post, I’m breaking down racist terms, slurs, phrases, and even everyday language with racist roots. This is about education—not shame—and it’s time we do better.

🟥 Blatant Racial Slurs (Never Acceptable)

These are not just offensive—they’re dehumanizing and should never be used:

• N****r – Anti-Black slur rooted in slavery.

• Ch*nk – Anti-Asian slur.

• Sp*c – Anti-Latino term.

• K*ke – Slur against Jewish people.

• Gk** – Used against Southeast Asians during war times.

• Rdskn – Offensive Native American slur.

• W*tback – Against immigrants, especially Mexican.

• Smbo, Pickaninny, Jggaboo – Degrading terms used against Black people.

🛑 These words are NEVER okay in any context.

⚠️ Terms with Racist Origins (Still Used Today)

You might hear or use these without realizing their histories:

Terms - Why It’s Problematic

Master Bedroom - Rooted in slavery-era homes

Grandfather Clause- Created to stop Black people from voting

Peanut Gallery - Where Black folks were forced to sit in theaters

Uppity - Used to shame confident Black individuals

Thug - Racially coded term for Black men

Oriental - Outdated and offensive use - Asian

Eskimo - Offensive term use Inuit or Yupik

🚫 Offensive Branding and Imagery

These products featured stereotypes that companies later had to retire or rebrand:

• Aunt Jemima – Mammy stereotype

• Uncle Ben’s – Submissive servant image

• Cream of Wheat – Plantation-style branding

• Washington Redskins – Offensive slur turned mascot

• Sambo’s Restaurant – Directly connected to a racist children’s story

🟡 Common Phrases with Racist Histories

These phrases might seem harmless, but they trace back to mockery or oppression:

• “Sold down the river” – Refers to enslaved people being sold to harsher conditions.

• “No can do” / “Long time no see” – Mocked immigrant or Indigenous speech.

• “Mumbo jumbo” – Dismissed African spirituality.

• “Spirit animal” – Culturally appropriates Native traditions.

✨ We don’t need to erase history—we need to acknowledge it.

💡 Why This Matters

Being aware of the language we use is a step toward healing generational harm. Racism isn’t just in actions—it’s in systems, in traditions, and yes, even in everyday speech.

So what can you do?

• ✊🏽 Educate yourself and others.

• 🗣️ Correct outdated language.

• 💬 Talk to your kids and peers about why words matter.

👣 Final Thoughts

Nobody is perfect. We’ve all said things without knowing the impact. What matters now is that we commit to doing better—for ourselves, our children, and our community.

Let’s keep growing, From Da Ground Up.

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments or share this with someone who needs to see it.

#WordsMatter #AntiRacism #LanguageAwareness #BlackHistory365 #FromDaGroundUp #LadiMiz #DoBetter #CulturalAwareness #TruthHeals #BreakTheCycle