Pickaninny (Noun)
Meaning
(ethnic slur) offensive term for a Black child.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Usages
Examples
- A 19th-century caricature depicted a pickaninny eating a watermelon, reinforcing racist stereotypes about African Americans.
- The pejorative term "pickaninny" was historically used to belittle and dehumanize Black children in American society.
- Some Hollywood films from the early 20th century featured racist portrayals of Black children, often referring to them as a pickaninny.
- During the height of racism in the American South, some white people used the derogatory term "pickaninny" to address or describe Black children they encountered.
- In many instances, the depiction of a pickaninny was often accompanied by exaggerated, racist features, further solidifying hurtful stereotypes about Black people.