It's not an easy feat for the definition of words to be amended by Merriam-Webster, but Drake University graduate Kennedy Mitchum was able to do just that. According to reports, 22-year-old Kennedy repeatedly contacted representatives and staff members working for Merriam-Webster in an effort to have them not change the definition of the word "racism," but to add to its meaning.
“I kept having to tell them that definition is not representative of what is actually happening in the world. The way that racism occurs in real life is not just prejudice, it’s the systemic racism that is happening for a lot of black Americans,” she shared with CNN. It came to her surprise when someone finally contacted her to let her know that they understood her point, and they would make necessary changes.
Merriam-Webster editor Alex Chambers reportedly said, “While our focus will always be on faithfully reflecting the real-world usage of a word, not on promoting any particular viewpoint, we have concluded that omitting any mention of the systemic aspects of racism promotes a certain viewpoint in itself.”
Prior to the change, Merriam-Webster defined racism as "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” They've now included, "a: doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles" and "b: a political or social system founded on racism."
"This revision would not have been made without your persistence in contacting us about this problem," Alex Chambers wrote to Kenndy in an email. "We sincerely thank you for repeatedly writing in and apologize for the harm and offense we have caused in failing to address this issue sooner."
“The Sopranos” Visual Dictionary Defines The Show’s Slang Alongside Classic Clips
HBO shares a hilarious visual dictionary for “The Sopranos.”
HBO gave fans of the hit television series The Sopranos a special treat on Wednesday by posting a funny, 10-minute visual dictionary of terms used throughout the show’s run.
The visual dictionary, uploaded to the premium channel’s YouTube account, defines some of the show’s most-used slang with short clips of the terms being used in context in different clips on the show. Some terms defined in the video include: ‘Gabagool’ – “the Northeastern U.S. term for capicola, a pork cold cut” and ‘Madone’ – “An abbretion for Madonna, invoked to convey heartfelt surprise at news, typically of the unfortunate variety. My Lord, My Heavens, etc.” The video results in 10 minutes worth of vintage Sopranos clips.
Often regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time, the Italian-American mobster series ran for six seasons from 1999 to 2007 and winning over 100 awards, including 21 Primetime Emmy Awards and five Golden Globes.
HBO has made the series, along with more of the network’s most beloved series and content, available to stream for free from start to finish during quarantine orders due to the coronavirus pandemic. Check out this full list of everything you’ll be able to stream for free.
Recently, we even got to engage in some brand new Tony Soprano banter by way of an imagined Coronavirus lockdown scene from the show’s creator, David Chase.
