NE decodes racist language

By Edith Mariscal

NE government assistant professor Joan Johnson speaks to students about coded language and how it aids racism and sexism during the Nov. 1 NE Campus presentation.
NE government assistant professor Joan Johnson speaks to students about coded language and how it aids racism and sexism during the Nov. 1 NE Campus presentation.

NE students learned the purpose of coded language and the reason they need to develop strategies for decoding such language during a Nov. 1 presentation.

“People need to start realizing we have the power to control the state, not the other way around,” NE English professor Shewanda Riley said.

Coded language operates in two ways. It creates or raises racial anxiety and gender roles and offers plausible deniability by allowing speakers to claim they never mention race or sex.

“Coded language is not the same as bigotry,” NE English professor Lisette Blanco-Cerda said. “Coded language serves to raise anxiety of people who have different beliefs. It’s strategic racism and sexism.”

Students learned coded language functions in ways that promote racism and stereotypes, denying full humanity to those defined by coded language.

Presidential candidates use coded language, Riley said.

“The goal is to be prepared and be an informed electorate,” she said. “Coded language is about empowering you when it comes time to elect. We encourage students to be critical thinkers, get news from a variety of sources. Make it a point to go vote and get a copy of the ballot.”