What lies behind us or what lies before us are small matters when compared to what lies inside us.Ralph Waldo Emerson

August 2026

  • Dark Is Not a Euphemism

    Do please take note of how we use the word dark. We too often use it to denote something bad, even evil, something that is the opposite of positive or good. We do it and we subtly or overtly reinforce racist tendencies.  It is an adjective, so yes when it is descriptive, I will use it: Night time is dark. But otherwise I for one avoid using it.

    In a way it is trendy to use the word dark as a euphemism, has been since decades ago Star Wars pitted The Dark Side against The Force, which of course used white light and wore white robes. It’s not that the makers of Star Wars were racist, they were undoubtedly using stereotypes to better create the identification sought by their marketing teams. Still, it does seem to have ensconced concepts we ought to recognize as harmful. In a society where racial equality would be present, it would not matter, but we are not there. In too many ways we still hold on to those erroneous stereotypes.

    There are many words we can use instead of dark. The situation is negative; my feelings were undesirable; this is bad or awful or unpleasant or dreadful or appalling or terrible or horrible; this is not what I want it to be; this is nefarious; it is not constructive… I recognize  switching requires an adjustment, but one no one will regret making.

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