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Why White People Talk to Black People in Slang
By Luke Visconti - Mar 19, 2007
In what has become the most popular area of DiversityInc.com, Luke Visconti, DiversityInc CEO, offers readers the opportunity to confidentially ask questions regarding diversity.

Question:
I am a well-educated, middle class black woman from upstate New York. Why do some white people speak to me in slang? It's as though they think they need to talk "cool" (in their perception) to be understood by me. Also, why do some white people appear surprised when they first see me after having spoken to me on the phone? Why, why, why do some white people think black people don't speak the king's English?

Answer:
Almost everyone has to deal with white people, but most white people live a highly segregated life--especially socially. This leads to discomfort in business and social interactions--that's where you'll hear dumb talk and stupid "accents." (See also: 'You're So Articulate')
 
One of the highest "cringe factor" things a person can do is use an accent or lingo that does not belong to them.

Readers' Comments

Your opinions and thoughts...
Posted Monday Jun 29, 2009 by Guest;
i never knew i "talked black" until i dealt with a person who was mildly retarded and they called me white black lady. I am a college educated white perosn who has spent much of my time growing up and after college working with black people. i dont do it on purpose, i didnt even know i was doing it! i do associate with alot of black people because i am used to it and feel comfortable, but i have plenty of white friends....
Posted Monday Nov 2, 2009 by Guest;
Most black people believe caucasions have had more opportunities to succeed in life than Afro-Americans have had within the last 25-30 years. NAACP, Minority Scholarships, Minority Colleges, Brunson Edu Bill, Affirmitive Action, Ever Expanding EEOC Laws, the "Diversity" trend in big business, corporate forced over-sensitivity to embellished prejudice actions by caucasions, etc.... You get the drift. Example: Currently in the state of NC, the government is giving approx. $2,000.00 a year to minority women from 6th to 12th grade as a reward for not getting pregnant. They then can use this money for college tuition & expenses (which includes a car, clothes, food, and frat/soror fees). This is approx $14,000.00 Why only minority women? Because they have more illegitimate children. Caucasions feel black people speak in EBONICS because the majority of you do. Just an observation. However, there are exceptions. Just like there are exceptions to the misperception caucasions have had more opportunities than blacks since the mid 1970's. Nothing worth having comes for free. Thanks, Charles .

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