American dictionary, Merriam-Webster announced it will be redefining the meaning of the word “racism” after a black woman made that request via a detailed e-mail sent to them.
22-year-ol black woman from Missouri, Kennedy Mitchum a recent graduate of Drake University in Iowa sent an e-mail to Merriam-Webster dictionary stating that it’s current definition of racism is not representative of what is actually happening in the world.
The dictionary’s current definition of racism is “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race”, which she argued fell short of including the systematic oppression of people of colour.
Mitchum told CNN;
“I kept having to tell them that definition is not representative of what is actually happening in the world.
“The way that racism occurs in real life is not just prejudice it’s the systemic racism that is happening for a lot of black Americans.”
However, the editor of the Dictionary, Alex Chambers replied her e-mail the next morning assuring her that her recommendation was being looked into.
Chambers was quoted to have stated in the email;
“This revision would not have been made without your persistence in contacting us about this problem.
“We sincerely thank you for repeatedly writing in and apologize for the harm and offense we have caused in failing to address this issue sooner.”
