The Calling of Names
The Calling of Names - meaning Summary
Names Track Social Change
The poem examines how racial and ethnic labels shift over time and what those shifts reveal about power, respect, and prejudice. Using an outspoken, vernacular voice, the speaker traces a progression of names—from slur to "colored" to "Negro" to "Black"—and registers both irony and anger at casual or insulting usages. It highlights how names can sanitize, obscure, or perpetuate harm and demands seriousness about language.
Read Complete AnalysesHe went to being called a colored man after answering to “hey, nigger.” Now that's a big jump, anyway you figger. Hey, Baby, watch my smoke. From colored man to Negro, With the N in caps, was like saying Japanese instead of saying Japs. I mean, during the war. The next big step was a change for true, From Negro in caps to being a Jew. Now, Sing, Yiddish Mama. Light, Yellow, Brown and Dark-brown skin, were okay colors to describe him then. He was a Bouquet of Roses. He changed his seasons like an almanac. Now you'll get hurt if you don't call him “Black.” Nigguh, I ain't playin’ this time.
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