Blackball

To exclude or reject someone from a group, club, or organization, often through a secret ballot or vote. This action effectively prevents the individual from participating in activities or enjoying the privileges of membership. The term carries a connotation of deliberate exclusion, implying that the person's character, behavior, or qualifications are considered unacceptable by the existing members. Historically, blackballing was a common practice in exclusive social clubs and professional organizations to maintain exclusivity and control membership. Modern usage can extend to various contexts where someone is actively prevented from joining or being included in something.

Blackball meaning with examples

• The elite golf club was infamous for blackballing potential members who didn't fit their specific social profile. Several prominent businessmen were rejected despite their wealth and golfing abilities. Their attempts to join the club proved fruitless, highlighting the club's strict and somewhat arbitrary acceptance process. The exclusivity of the club relied heavily on the power to blackball individuals.
• After the controversial article, the author found himself blackballed by numerous publishing houses. His work was rejected, and opportunities diminished rapidly. Colleagues and industry professionals distanced themselves from the writer. This blackballing severely damaged his career and made it difficult for him to gain recognition.
• The union members voted to blackball the company's new safety regulations, as they believed the rules were inadequate to prevent unsafe work. The rejection demonstrated the workforce's dissatisfaction with the safety precautions and the perceived risk to them. They effectively put the rules on hold until the regulations could be improved. They demonstrated their power through blackballing.
• Despite her excellent qualifications, the applicant was blackballed from the prestigious research program. Whispers of a personality clash with a key professor circulated among the graduate students. The situation highlighted the potential for personal biases to negatively impact fair assessment. It showed the lack of transparency with the application process.
• In the early 20th century, certain social circles blackballed individuals based on their race or ethnicity, showing discrimination and societal prejudice. Exclusion was based on factors unrelated to competence or character. Their membership was deemed not worthy by the racist practices of the time, and they faced a social injustice.