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distance screeching

A feeling when conditions from the past are haunting us and still make noises in our heads, although they seem to be distant. Can apply to historical conditions. Past events influence today’s minds and actions. E.g. our own past, as well as societal, institutional pasts inevitably shape theories and how we look at them. What we teach and learn today is intertwined with our past. Echoes reproduce power structures and reach into the present. The original sound can deform, how it is heard from a distance changes (e.g. become shriller). Although today many look on colonialism more critically, it still shapes institutions, worldviews, actions. It is visible in the books resting in our libraries, in the accessibility of institutions (Decolonising Knowledge: What Is Decolonisation? | Rolando Vázquez Melken 5:24), how history is told by western museums. We must recognize and draw attention to this screeching (e.g. as one can see in the actions Mwazulu Diyabanza does in Museums (Gimlet)). We need to question who owns, who tells stories, defines, has power, whose voices are being heard? To decolonize we must recognize that power structures are still active. We must question the sounds from the past without denying they exist, but by reshaping how we perceive them and making sure they are not repeated, by making sure they are not echoes.

Sources:
Decolonising Knowledge: What Is Decolonisation? Rolando Vázquez Melken. 2021.
Gimlet. I Want To Report A Theft.
“I still have a distance screeching.”

“I think you got distance screeching.”

“These theories are distance screeched. *”

*However, colonial power structures should be labeled as such as clear as possible. The proposed term should be seen more as an additional visualization.
by l;;;; December 10, 2023
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Screeching halt

Something that happens when a person with dark skin goes to a place where it’s mostly white people
If I go there, everything will come to a screeching halt. Every car will stop. Every airplane, every bike, every person walking down the sidewalk will all stop. And they’ll just look at me like O_O
by SiL3Nt J September 19, 2023
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Screeching halt

Something that happens when a person with dark skin goes to a place where it’s mostly white people
If I go there, everything will come to a screeching halt. Every car will stop. Every plane will stop. Every person on a bike and skate board and every person walking down the street will all stop. And they’ll all just stare at me like O_O
by SiL3Nt J September 19, 2023
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Screeching Karen

A subtype of the "Karen" archetype of annoying women cliches/tropes;

Screaming Karens are the type of person who films a fight/confrontation with their iPhone,
actively avoiding doing anything about the situation.

When a punch lands, or a fight ensues, the screaming karen will SCREECH at the top of their lungs to indicate something has happened. Usually deafening the viewer of the video being recorded.

Alternatively, this type of Karen, usually when being 'hella ghetto', will announce low-tier shit talk during the duration of the fight. Usually along the lines of something stupid, such as, "Get 'em! Get 'em!", often repeatedly.

Screaming Karens provide nothing to any conflict; they simply stand far away, record in Portrait mode on their phone, and act as a human alarm to alert any passerbys that there might, indeed, be a thing happening.
"Did you see that video of the fight in the mall last night?"
"Yeah bro. But whoever recorded it was a real Screeching Karen, I couldn't even hear what they were fighting about!"
by Maxwell_Edison July 30, 2022
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Screech

The sound of my tires at every red light.
Me: (At a red light)
Some dude:(revs his engine and stares at me)
Me:(Steps on it, tires screeching)
My Dad:”Nice!”
by CrayonEater4259 September 5, 2021
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screech reach

When an actor / actress can't reach the same level of success portraying a role as an adult that they achieved as a child.
Dusin Diamond (Screech) serves as the example for fellow childhood actors / actresses, such as Gary Coleman, Emmanuel Lewis, Soleil Moon Frye, The Olsen Twins, and Jaleel White, of those who will always suffer from screech reach.
by Arnie Grape February 25, 2021
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.9.Screech Flutes.9.

by Adujasty343 July 13, 2025
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