Elon Musk slams AP and New York Times over racial capitalization rules that capitalize Black and lowercase white.
Austin, TX – According to the media, capitalizing the word Black is paying homage to an oppressed people. Capitalizing the word white is acknowledging systemic white supremacy in America.
No, really, these are the ‘unbiased’ and ‘neutral’ media rules journalists across the liberal mediasphere follow.
Elon Musk ignited fresh debate over newsroom language standards after blasting the Associated Press and the New York Times for capitalizing “Black” but not “white” when referencing race.
The billionaire took to social media after noticing the New York Times follows the same editorial practice as the AP, writing “F NYT” in frustration with what he called a biased style decision. His remarks added fuel to an already sensitive conversation about race, identity, and journalistic standards.
The Associated Press first shifted its rules in 2020, deciding to capitalize “Black” in a racial, ethnic, or cultural sense. AP editors explained that the change reflected the shared history, identity, and culture of people of African descent and their experiences of systemic discrimination.
At the same time, AP said it would not capitalize “white.” The organization argued that unlike “Black,” the term did not represent a singular cultural identity and that capitalization risked echoing language used by white supremacist groups.
“White people generally do not share the same history and culture, or the experience of being discriminated against because of skin color,” the AP said in its guidance. “Capitalizing the term white, as is done by white supremacists, risks subtly conveying legitimacy to such beliefs.”
Other institutions, including the American Psychological Association, recommend capitalizing both “Black” and “White” to maintain consistency and respect for all racial and ethnic groups. The style differences have become a point of contention among academics, journalists, and readers.
Musk’s criticism drew attention to the broader debate over how language shapes discussions of race. The AP has said it will continue to review its decision as usage evolves, while the New York Times has not indicated any change to its current practice.
We’re all the same. There is no black. There is no White. There is no white. There is no Black. The media fuels the racial divide in America, and the proof is clearly right there in their own style guides.
Key Points
- Elon Musk criticized AP and New York Times for capitalizing “Black” but not “white.”
- AP style guidance says capitalizing “Black” reflects cultural identity and shared history.
- AP maintains lowercase “white” to avoid legitimizing white supremacist terminology.
Musk’s fiery post once again pushed newsroom style rules into the national spotlight.