A lot of our outlawed terms were invented by black people and then picked up by whites, who held on to them way past their expiration date. 'My bad,' for example, and 'I've got your back' and 'You go, girlfriend.' They're the verbal equivalents of sitcom grandmothers high-fiving one another, and on hearing them, I wince and feel ashamed of my entire race.
In his book "Calypso," David Sedaris discusses how many expressions now considered outdated or inappropriate were originally created by Black people. These terms have since been appropriated by white people who continue to use them long after their relevance has diminished. Sedaris uses the examples of phrases like "my bad" and "I've got your back" to illustrate his point.
He expresses discomfort with this cultural borrowing, likening the situation to amusing yet cringeworthy moments, such as sitcom grandmothers celebrating together. This reflection leads him to openly confront the tension of cultural appropriation and the resulting shame he feels on behalf of his race.
