black section: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Political, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “black section” mean?
A distinct, designated, or segregated area within a larger organization, group, or document that is specifically focused on Black people, their concerns, politics, or culture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A distinct, designated, or segregated area within a larger organization, group, or document that is specifically focused on Black people, their concerns, politics, or culture.
Historically, refers to internal caucuses or wings within political parties (especially the British Labour Party in the 1980s) that advocated for Black representation and policies. Can also refer to a specific part of a newspaper, magazine, website, or event program dedicated to Black topics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the term is heavily associated with the 1980s Labour Party internal politics. In American English, it is more likely to refer to a dedicated part of a publication (e.g., 'the black section of the bookstore') or a community space, though 'African-American section' is more typical.
Connotations
UK: Politically charged, historical, controversial (seen as divisive by some). US: More descriptive of physical/digital space, less politically loaded historically, though still implies segregation or specific focus.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary use in both dialects, but more likely to be encountered in historical or political analysis texts in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “black section” in a Sentence
the black section of [the Labour Party/the magazine/the report]to create/form a black sectiondebate over the black sectionVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “black section” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The constituency party voted to black-section itself in solidarity.
- They attempted to black-section the union's executive.
American English
- The editors decided to black-section the feature content.
- (Very rare as a verb in US English).
adjective
British English
- The black-section debate dominated the conference.
- They proposed a black-section manifesto.
American English
- She curated the black-section literature for the festival.
- The store has a black-section aisle.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in Diversity & Inclusion reports: 'The report includes a black section on recruitment disparities.'
Academic
Used in Political Science, Sociology, and History discussing identity politics and representation in 1980s Britain.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used literally: 'The biographies are in the black section of the library.'
Technical
Not applicable in STEM fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “black section”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “black section”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “black section”
- Using it as a synonym for 'Black community' (it's a part *within* a larger body).
- Capitalising 'Black' but not 'section'.
- Using in a modern context without historical qualification.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently. It describes a political strategy of self-organization. However, it was controversial, with critics calling it divisive and supporters seeing it as necessary for representation.
Yes, but it's very literal and potentially ambiguous. Phrases like 'section for Black authors' or 'African-American literature section' are clearer and more common.
A 'caucus' is typically a formal meeting or grouping within a legislative body. 'Black section' had a broader, more structural aim to be a permanent, constitutionally-recognized part of a party's organization.
Its use has declined sharply. The specific historical moment it refers to has passed. Contemporary discussions use terms like 'BAME networks', 'diversity committees', or 'ethnic minority forums'.
A distinct, designated, or segregated area within a larger organization, group, or document that is specifically focused on Black people, their concerns, politics, or culture.
Black section is usually formal, political, journalistic in register.
Black section: in British English it is pronounced /blak ˈsɛkʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /blæk ˈsɛkʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **section** in a newspaper. A **black section** is a part specifically **blacked** out for focus on Black stories.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS A DOCUMENT (a section can be created within it). POLITICAL REPRESENTATION IS SPATIAL SEGREGATION (having one's own area).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'black section' most historically specific?