This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
On July 8, 2019, Michael Joseph, acting CEO of Safaricom, made a remark during Bob Collymore's memorial service that ignited a fierce debate on social media.
Joseph's comment, which described Bob Collymore as a 'white man in a black body,' has been viewed by many as racist, with some accusing him of glorifying racism.
However, others have interpreted the comment as a nuanced observation about Collymore's leadership style, rather than a racist statement.
As we delve into the world of adjectives, let's examine the grammatical aspects of Joseph's comment and explore the implications of using racial adjectives in corporate settings.
Adjectives, such as 'white' and 'black,' can be used to describe individuals or groups, but they can also be used to make comparisons, as in the case of Joseph's comment.
Comparative adjectives, like 'better' and 'faster,' are used to compare two things, while superlative adjectives, like 'fastest,' are used to compare three or more things.
Prefixes, such as 'anti-' and 'arch-,' are used to add meaning to words, while suffixes, like '-ist' and '-ism,' are used to form new words.
Quantifiers, like 'some' and 'many,' are used to indicate amount or quality, and ordinal numbers, like 'first' and 'second,' are used to refer to distribution.
As we navigate the complexities of language, it's essential to consider the context and implications of our words, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like racism.
