Recently, the DEA (Drung Enforcement Administation) posted a call for people who could be able to translate Ebonics. Ebonics is a nonstandard form of American English characteristically spoken by African Americans in the United States, also known as African American Vernacular English.
Well this arose a huge problem with people because they felt that if someone could actually understand and mimic Ebonics then they weren’t worthy of being part of the DEA. This issue even arouse in the white house. Obama and some of his famous, high- profiling supporters were criticized of “talking black” when around other African Americans. A caller even called into a national political talk show to speak about their mistrust for Obama. The caller felt as though Obama should talk “regular”, indicating that “white” pronunciation and their way of speaking is the regular way to speak. In recent years, most African American people have the pressure of flip flopping the way they speak when among different groups of people.
The way you speak could determine whether you get the job or not, or if you get that dream apartment. I believe that the way someone speaks shouldn’t determine if they are educated or not. What we bring to the table and how we handle ourselves should be what makes us who we are and how people perceive us. As of now black vernacular English is unacceptable, but I still don’t see the reason why "sounding black” is so bad.
So my question to you class is, do you sometimes judge or make assumptions of people based on how they speak. Also, what does sounding "white" or "black" mean to you?
11 comments:
Honestly, I don't make assumptions based on how people speak. As long as I can understand what someone is trying to say to me, I'm fine with it. If it seems like they're blabbering then I'll get a bit biased. Sounding white is something you can argue because people down south annunciate their words differently, and a foreigner with a heavy accent say words differently as well. To me, the white or black or whatever color you happen to be doesn't matter. What you're saying does.
I don't think there is anything wrong with talking "black." We all use slang some way or another. People learn slang from their environment and the people who are around them, therefore white people talk "white" and black people talk "black".
Caitlin Kamienski
I don't think that there is anything with sounding black. I just think that we all need to know when we need to use appropriate language. Most people do not feel the need to talk properly all the time especially in front of their pairs. As long as people understand what you are saying everything should be okay.
I dont think theres is any different with talking "black" and "white." Everyone uses slang, and people should not target a certain race on how they speak. Everyone speaks different by the way they are brought up and their surrondings. As long as you appeal and talk properly to your audence, talk however you want to.
I dont really think theres a problem with people talking "black" or "white". I mean everybody in certain ways uses slang. You cant just point out a certain group of people because of the way they talk they're not the only ones whos use slang.
Christina Hanan
The way people refer to the difference in language between whites and blacks, seems like they are speaking a completely different language all together. I think that it is a big ridiculous to refer to slang as "black" talking" considering that its more than black people that use it. Languages can change, just as technology, and people change over a course of time.
There isn't really anything wrong with sounding "black." Every person and culture has their own way of speaking, whether it's slang or even accents. The only Difference is that people need to know what is an appropriate way of saying certain things to represent yourself as a good person.
I think just saying sounding black or white is offensive. There is only talking properly, and not talking properly. Wouldn't you figure that the schools wouldn't pass the children or teach the children correctly before it got so serious. Speech is very important, people judge you by how you talk everyday.
I don't think sounding "black" is bad. People should talk the way they want and what makes them more comfortable. Honestly there's so many people that use a form of slang in the school that it shouldn't make a difference. We are all different and some people like to differ by the way they speak.
To be honest I would say that I may judge people a little on how they speak. Maybe things pop in my head like where there from, how smart they are based on what words they choose to say, or even what they like to talk about says a little something about themselves. To me personally I don’t like the fact that there is even such thing as sounding white or black because that does not have anything to do with how people talk. It’s all about how people choose to talk and what fits their personality, it doesn’t matter what skin color they have. But thats just me.
In my opinion, I don't really think talking "black" is horrible. A lot of people use slang in one way or another, but it kind of is irritating when grammar is not used the right way. I think its very judgmental to say people talk "white" or "black." The way people talk is because of the people who they are surrounded by and who they are friends with in my opinion. However you feel the need to talk is the way you're going to talk. The way you talk is the way you're represented though so you need to make sure you talk the way you want to be represented.
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