A WORD ON Policing

March 2021

When you think about the word policing, does your definition extend only to the carceral system?

Or does it include the ways in which language is policed or the way bodies—particularly those belonging to Black people and women—are policed? Does it include the way that Black folks just existing in the world is policed under white supremacy? 

 We’re going to dive into words today (it’s my love language fam) and how they’re policed, with some examples from my own life. 

Recently, a white woman posted asking how to do better and what anti-racism resources could be shared. To answer, I shared that the entire Naaya page is a free resource and that we also offer paid workshops. 

That answer was not to her liking. She quickly responded back, asking how I expected white folks to want to do the work when I had the audacity to respond in that way. I was perplexed, as I simply offered a response to her question. 

Yet this way of responding, sadly, is not new. Very often white folks respond with anger when they perceive a Black person's “tone” is not to their liking. (Spoiler alert: there’s no right “tone.”) 

This brought back memories from my old job. I will never forget being told my work emails had a “tone”—coded language which meant I came off angry in my emails and a gross example of bias. 

I’m still not sure what having a tone meant aside from the fact that I, the sender, often have my language policed because of my racial identity. 

 I offer you an opportunity to reflect on instances where your language may or may not have been policed or when you have policed others’ language because it was not to your liking. 

Yours, Sinikiwe