#TodaysLessonInRacism Calling people by their title and surname is a way we demonstrate respect. Using coded language and allowing people to be called out of their name is a way to demean, separate and otherize people. It is one of the tactics that reveals and perpetuates systematic racism. News media journalists @CNN @WarnerMediaGrp are using the term "The Squad" to identify elected US Congresswomen @repocasiocortez @repilhan @reprashida @repayannapressley This separates them from the respect due a Congressional officer and is disrespectful. Calling them out of their names permits anyone to slander these women as many have. In a single day, millions of people will hear professional journalist call them out of their name. Racially coded words (and terms) seep into the American lexicon because people use them innocently and repeatedly. At the very least 1 million viewers heard @jimsciutto refer to these women as a group at least 5 times in one hour. Listen to the adjectives ascribed to "The Squad" and you will understand. This is how you know racism is at play. This is not a political issue but a social one. @the_exonerated.5 were teens described as a gang. When young black and brown men are described as gangs they can be arrested, abused, incarcerated and ignored without respect, facts, equal treatment, the presumption of innocence or human compassion. When news media contributes to branding people outside of their surname and/or title, they are also (unknowing) contributors in perpetuating systematic racism. #werwideopen #crushtheisms #crushracism #crushinequality #crushrevisisionism https://www.instagram.com/p/B0B9JEHHFpM/?igshid=ibquonzt300w