Linguistic Limitations: The Verbal Progression Barrier

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This paper examines the role of language in the navigation of activist spaces by

highlighting the discrepancies that often occur between the scholarly haves and have nots.

Organizers can sometimes use such heady and theoretical language that folks who could

potentially be on board for movement work are put off or feel alienated by their lack of

knowledge. There is also an examination of the terminology around black liberation movements

and how the jargon used by people in these spaces can create in-groups and out-groups and foster

tension. People who are already making progress within their communities and affecting positive

change often need and want the support that larger organizations can provide, but these people

feel uncomfortable once they come in to these spaces if they don’t know the language being

casually used. Further, this discomfort can manifest in dissention amongst folks trying to do the

same work who are merely not on the same wavelength to a crucial degree.