On Dec. 9, there was a letter published in the Daily regarding the use of “black” to describe things like a bad day or the plague. Godfred Yeboah, a graduate student, demanded an apology (“a sincere one”) from the editor in chief for her use of the phrase “Black Tuesday” because he thinks it is derogatory to the black community.

Dear Mr. Yeboah, I hope that you can come to your senses soon. The adjective “black” is used here to denote the night, when the sun shines no more.

Long ago, people believed this is when the demons awakened. Some evenings are lighter than others. Some are mere shadows, and others prevent the sight of one’s own hand. Which seems more likely to conceal lurking creatures? That’s right, pitch black.

Ms. Wirt is not guilty of derogatory slurs or ignorant racism; she is using a phrase that has long been associated with the night. Is Mr. Yeboah trying to build a thicker wall between the races? Such blind accusations can only be successful in giving himself a bad name.

Theresa Benish

Junior

Zoology and genetics/pre-veterinary medicine