“The Power of a Name”

Luvell Anderson, associate professor of philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences, was quoted in the Atmos story “The Power of a Name.” Anderson, who works primarily in the philosophy of language and race, discussed the impact of derogatory and racist terms for Black individuals throughout history. Many of these dehumanizing names have continued to be used in various forms, such as the names federal land areas, therefore causing a push to rename these places in honor of Black history. “To hang onto those names is to essentially hang on to the idea that certain voices or certain people’s perspectives are rightfully excluded from the conversation about how we recognize these places,” Luvell said.