Unwitting Faux Pas

You know, I really don’t get it at times – or shall I say; I really don’t get some people at times. I have had this said to me over and over and over again: You’re so articulate or You speak with such intelligence, Okay And? What are you trying to imply? You mine as well just say, “I’m surprised you don’t sound like the stereotypical black guy- ghetto, and speak in broken sentences.”

Are you lauding me or being patronizing? Am I expected to thank you for basically telling me I speak proper? Am I displaying a type of behavior that you find surprising by being able to effectively hold a decent conversation? Maybe you were expecting me to exhibit unseemly manners or dialect when I opened my mouth. Well, I hate to break it to you but, I DO speak with such intelligence and I AM articulate when presenting myself and holding a conversation because I’m suppose to – It is what is expected from me as an educated, professional young black man, to speak STANDARD ENGLISH.

Now, I will be the first to say that I do use “slang” as some would put it, and use “black speech patterns” because it is rooted within my culture which is a part of me HOWEVER; I know when it is acceptable to use and when it’s not. Obviously, I’m not walking around 24/7 chopping consonants off every word I use in a formal situation but, in some informal situations, yes. Even within this blog you will come across some slightly informal posts in which I employ “slang” or “black speech patterns”, but on the more formal posts you will not detect any being utilized at all. Again I say; there is a time and place when it is acceptable and not acceptable to use.

Some people may think I’m being too sensitive or looking too far into things but the truth of the matter is, the phrase – You’re so articulate has much more behind the meaning than just speech.