I could not help but notice the Ad on the Aloft Homepage with the Taranis Transmitter in Black. The tagline in particular caught my attention which read "CUZ" nothing looks better than black (approximately). Now I am not some angry over sensitive polemic oozing with truculence and itching for anything to give cause for a histrionic episode. However, I may sometimes choose my own words carefully before making them public because we now live in a country that is filled with the afore described citizen. The word "CUZ" may be such a word for careful consideration. I understand the "CUZ" is short for "because" as a phonetic play on words. I'm just saying when "CUZ" is coupled with "BLACK" it invites consternation.
Cuz, was/is used by many of my family members. I can say this as I was often told by my family elders to do this that or the other thing, “Cuz I said so!â€
It looks like one would have to have a very, very, narrow understanding as to the origin of “Cuz†to be offended. It might not be proper english and might be thought of as lower class. But I’m not aware that is has any racial connotation.
Unfortunately many of my relatives are self proclaimed racists. I’d like to know if you have any evidence that the etymology of the word “Cuz†can be traced back to Black America or that it has negative connotations based on rase. True, it might label one to a certain social or economical class.
I would love to show some of my racist family members that they are being heavily influenced by “black cultureâ€!
But I really fail to see how this is tied to race. I don’t buy the argument that phrases or words that have their origin in the Southern American dialect are racist based on their etymology. As I recall the plantation owners were white and carried much of the accent and dialect of the south with them as they traveled north to be schooled. There is ample evidence that these whites were mercilessly teased for their use of southern language by their high brow northern class mates.
Last time I read the Constitution of these great United States, I did not see where we as a people have the “right" to be offended.
This is what invites consternation! People being offended at any and everything. Legitimate wrongs need to be addressed. We don't need to be making up new ones. There are plenty to go around.
Now I have a concern that the phrase “Cuz black is better†might put a large portion of the populous on an impossibly high pedestal.
In this application (the radio case) I vehemently disagree with the notion. Because when we are outside in the sun the black case absorbs the sun’s energy causing many of the radio’s electronic components to over heat. So I contend that the assertion that black is better is false when it comes to the housing and face plates of our radios.
All the best,
Konrad