Over the course of the 2016 presidential campaign, you may have noticed GOP nominee Donald Trump referring to black and Latino people in a way that made you go…
Trump’s use of the article “the” when referring to people of color — such as “the African-Americans,” “the Latinos” or “the blacks,” has generated outrage and frustration online.
Blacks for Trump? But I thought he called us #TheAfricanAmericans?
— Saint Petty – Nut Up Or Shut Up (@CougarTrainee) October 13, 2016
" #TheAfricanAmericans " wont be voting for you Donald
— courtney. (@_XoxoCourt) October 20, 2016
Some linguists have argued Trump’s language has the effect of ‘othering’ them — the very opposite of what the candidate claims he wants to do.
In this video, theGrio‘s Natasha Alford breaks down the impact of his language and the history behind why racial terms matter to black people.