Who suggested the update to the definition of racism?

Question

Accepted Answer

Kennedy Mitchum Suggested the Update to Merriam-Webster's Definition of Racism

Kennedy Mitchum, a recent graduate of Drake University, suggested the update to Merriam-Webster's definition of racism. She proposed that the definition should more accurately reflect the systemic oppression faced by people of color. Merriam-Webster's editorial manager, Peter Sokolowski, confirmed that the definition would be modified in an upcoming release to make this aspect clearer.
Mitchum's Rationale for the Definition Change

Mitchum felt that the existing definition of racism did not adequately capture the full scope of the issue, particularly concerning systemic oppression. She communicated to Merriam-Webster that the definition needed to encompass the idea of systematic oppression against a group of people, rather than simply individual dislike or prejudice. Her suggestion aimed to broaden the understanding of racism to include its societal and structural dimensions.
Merriam-Webster's Confirmation and Planned Revisions

Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster's editorial manager, confirmed that Mitchum's request would lead to a revision of the definition. While the current second definition touches upon racism as a "political or social system founded on racism," Merriam-Webster acknowledged the need to enhance clarity on this point. This update is slated for inclusion in the dictionary's next release.
Broader Dictionary Updates Anticipated

Beyond the specific definition of racism, editors at Merriam-Webster also indicated that other related terms would be subject to updates. This suggests a comprehensive review of vocabulary associated with race and racism to ensure the dictionary remains current and reflective of contemporary language usage and understanding. The specific words to be revised were not detailed at the time of the announcement.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Who suggested the update to the definition of racism?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends