Insulted by Ebonics - Do you unknowingly stereo type other people?

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Permalink Reply by Victoria Finch on July 6, 2009 at 12:37am

That is funny. That happens to me all the time. My grandfather was white. It sounds like we have similiar backgrounds. My grandmother's father was pure blooded Cherokee Indian and her mother was Irish. I have curly hair. People ask me if I am Hispanic when my hair is straight. Let's do coffee.

Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on July 6, 2009 at 12:44am

Cool Beans!

Permalink Reply by Michael R. on July 6, 2009 at 4:28am

I'll get back to this thread later, but I wanted to leave ya'll with some Ebonics from my man Big L:)

Permalink Reply by Annie Sever-Dimitri on July 6, 2009 at 8:41am

Interesting debate, Victoria! As for the original question about are you being overly sensitive, I don't think so. To me, calling someone "Girl" with that certain enunciation implies some sort of familiarity. And to do it right off the bat like that, it does involve stereotyping. I love to bastardize the english language, especially foul language, as a means of creativity and just making myself laugh. My friends and family are used to this, and it is no big deal. But for me to address someone I just met with my colorful talk would be really rude. I ONLY do that with people I already know who have my similar sense of humor. Anyone else would be grossed out or think I am a real screwball.

If someone only used Ebonics right from the get go, I do have to wonder if they have any proper education. It is like the pants sagging down below the bum--I immediately think that person is a village idiot. I know it is another culture, and I do remind myself of that. But.....I have to be honest here, that saggy pants thing is worse to me than Ebonics could ever be.

I don't mind if someone uses Ebonics once they get to know me if that suits their fancy--who cares? But I just don't think it should ever be used in business, unless you know the person very, very well.

Permalink Reply by Michael R. on July 6, 2009 at 9:11am

It is like the pants sagging down below the bum--I immediately think that person is a village idiot.

And those who sag their pants might think you are the village idiot for using the word 'bum' instead of 'butt'. Just sayin'. It works both ways, Annie.

Permalink Reply by Michael R. on July 6, 2009 at 9:27am

You missed the point entirely...not surprising.

Permalink Reply by Michael R. on July 6, 2009 at 10:03am

Is that why you chose not to address these questions I posed to you on the first page?

Chris, what do you define as 'slang'? If new words are being made up and put into print on a daily basis, are they considered slang to you? Do you accept any new words? If so, what is the criteria for your acceptance of these words into the English language?

Permalink Reply by Michael R. on July 6, 2009 at 10:40am

So, if you follow the rules set forth for the English language, and some slang words are added to said language, do you now consider them "proper" words?

Yes, Chris, I'm well aware that you are not in charge of the English language (let us all rejoice!!).

Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on July 6, 2009 at 10:42am

Bow to the king! Bow to the King!

King Michael, that is!!!!!!

(...and I don't mean Michael Jackson!)

Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on July 6, 2009 at 9:38am

Oh Annie!

I had a vision of the big gay guy saying "Girrrrll" with the growl, the chicken neck roll and the finger snap! I'm sure that I just insulted a lot of people here, but this is a discussion and PC is not a prerequisite.

Victoria is right. don't assume that I (because you see black skin) am accepting of that type of vernacular and those actions just because you (that's a universal "You", not you Annie!) have some inane wish to be accepted by Black people or some misconception that if you approach me like that I will become your "home girl". Sorry, I mean "Home G!"

For the fun of it, check out this link.

Annie and Vic, this is where those "hood rats" around the world (Ohh, SORRY, I mean my son's friends!) get their "g" card to use language we consider incomprehensible. (Was that last sentence a mix of cultures> I'M SO CONFRUSED!)

Smiles to it all! when it is all said and done with, I am just a a "People"!

Permalink Reply by Michael R. on July 6, 2009 at 8:58am

How is the word "girl" slang? It's a proper English word last time I checked. Let me guess, it was the way he enunciated said word, right? And, no, I didn't guess the nurse was white, but thanks for clarifying. I feel insulted that you assume us readers guessed the nurse was white, btw. If you are so sure that he meant no harm, why is it such a big deal? Did you take the time to expalin to him that you didn't want to be addressed in this manner? Or, did you just post this blog hoping to gain some kind of closure from the incident? If you embrace the so-called "street-vernacular", why is it such a big deal that he addressed you in that way? Let me ask you, was the care he provided for you substandard in any way? And, if so, do you believe it was because you are black?

It is not my place to say that you are being over-sensitive because no one can tell you how you should feel in regard to any situation. I just think this whole thing amounts to a hill of beans (white people slang) if you didn't take the opportunity to tell this man how you feel.

As far as how I address people, it depends on the setting and what mood I'm in at the current moment. Sometimes I'll throw older white people a curveball and talk in a 'jive' tone and then laugh as they look at me confused. Then, I'll tell them I was just using 'street vernacular' and sometimes they ask me: "What does 'vernacular' mean??" haha

I like slang...it's actually given me a greater appreciation for the English language as a whole. Some might say slang is dumb, stupid, etc., but I think it's creative. UrbanDictionary.com is all kinds of awesome and is great for a laugh...even William Strunk Jr. would probably love it if he were alive today. Rappers use many different forms of slang and I guess you could say that is where I was really exposed to street slang in general. While I grew up around blacks my entire life, and broke bread at many a black person's home, rappers were (and still are) the ones who I am most influenced by in terms of slang speak. I was saying the phrase "off the hook" back in the mid-90's before it became popular in the 2000's because it was a phrase that was started by rappers on the West Coast. People in Naptown used to ask me what I meant by "off the hook" and I'd tell 'em. That's just one example.

Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on July 6, 2009 at 9:40am

It's how you use it, MR, HOW you use it!

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