Much of our linguistic and cultural history of negative associations with darkness and blackness has little or nothing at all to do with skin color. In this age of sensitivity about racism, I sometimes think there has been a hypersensitivity about black and dark; and there has been an attempt to suppress things that have nothing to do with racism.

It's hard to figure out what's right and wrong in all this. Black has long been associated with death and doom - but is this because of skin color, or is it because of other associations? Is it racist to worry about black storm clouds and tornadoes, and moonless nights, and produce and flowers that are black and withered? Is "calling a spade a spade" a racist expression, and does it have to do with cards, shovels, or people?

In this whole matter of darkness and blackness, what's reasonable sensitivity and what's silliness?

-Joe-