Taking ownership of language is a fundamental stage in any People’s journey towards self-determination. Historically the word black has been used to connote something negative and dis-empowering for the people who have been at the receiving end of race-based insults. The term Black was used to denigrate the cultural and racial origin of an individual or community. An example of this was in a high-profile case where racist and labelling language was used to express domination.
Like recent moves by some community organisations from Indigenous back to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or language names, Blak is an expression of taking back power and control within a society that doesn’t encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples; and as an opportunity for self-determination, as individuals and communities.
What does Blak mean?
Destiny Deacon first used the term in 1991 in an exhibition Blak lik mi. In her 2004 MCA exhibition, Walk and don’t look blak, ‘blak’ is defined as:
Blak: a term used by some Aboriginal people to reclaim historical, representational, symbolical, stereotypical and romanticised notions of Black or Blackness. Often used as ammunition or inspiration. This type of spelling may have been appropriated from American hip-hop or rap music.
Who has used the term, Blak?
Some of the artists and writers who have also used the term Blak:
- Djon Mundine at the Queensland Art Gallery’s Blak Insights Exhibition and Symposium and Blak2Blak series at Campbelltown Regional Arts Centre 2007
- Clinton Nain‘s White King Blak Queen series
- Artlink edition featuring all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers was called Blak on Blak
- Tony Albert’s 2007 exhibition at Jan Manton Gallery called ‘I’m bringing sexy blak’
- Kiss My Black Arts Consultancy by Sam Cook
This is an edited version of a post which first appeared on Blak History Month for Teachers. Used with permission.