Some of my happiest moments have been discussing grammar with my daughter-in-law, who teaches high school English. I must disagree with Ms. Marks and the Associated Press in part (From the Editor, December issue). Clearly, if you are deaf it is a state, much as being Albanian or Methodist, and must be capitalized. On the other hand, I have never met either an African or an African American who was actually black, and I don’t recall ever meeting an albino, so I’ve never met anyone who is actually white. So when “white” or “black” show up in prose as describing a human being it is a vast overstatement, much as calling friend who has done something unusual as being “insane,” or a friend who is able to solve problems as being “another Einstein.” So I opine that “black” and “white” should not be capitalized, but should appear in quotes, indicating that the author is not being serious about the color of the subject. This would be most appropriate with people who are at most tan or beige but identify with African American culture.
Some of my happiest moments have been discussing grammar with my daughter-in-law, who teaches high school English. I must disagree with Ms. Marks and the Associated Press in part (From the Editor, December issue). Clearly, if you are deaf it is a state, much as being Albanian or Methodist, and must be capitalized. On the other hand, I have never met either an African or an African American who was actually black, and I don’t recall ever meeting an albino, so I’ve never met anyone who is actually white. So when “white” or “black” show up in prose as describing a human being it is a vast overstatement, much as calling friend who has done something unusual as being “insane,” or a friend who is able to solve problems as being “another Einstein.” So I opine that “black” and “white” should not be capitalized, but should appear in quotes, indicating that the author is not being serious about the color of the subject. This would be most appropriate with people who are at most tan or beige but identify with African American culture.