Why is it that just because I talk proper means I talk "white"?

Question

I'm a young Black American female who talks properly and when I talk around Black people they ALWAYS ask me "Where are you from?" I am from the South but does that really mean anything? Just because I was born, raised and live in the South doesn't mean I have to talk all the slang and ebonics. I'm just being myself. I'm not trying to be white by talking proper or relaxing my hair or wearing Aroepostle(Forgot how to spell it.) What if I don't like to hear rap all the time or wear Baby Phat? It sounds like they're trying to say that white people talk right and we don't. What do you think?

Answer 1

Stereotypes are stupid, and so are the people who mindlessly reinforce them. Telling you to behave a certain way because of the color of your skin is racist, no matter who it's coming from. Be yourself, and be proud of who you are. Anyone who doesn't like you for who you are isn't worth being around.

Answer 2

I can see how this can be problematic but you stand your ground and if others do not like what they hear well it is their problem. You are your own person and do not have to follow others so if the situation becomes troublesome well you might find yourself alone. You are whom you are---lead but do not follow---be true to yourself. Black is Black, Brown is Brown, Yellow is Yellow and White is White and everyone has their own language but proper English is not a curse but is a benefit to everyone; proper English does not have a color to it.
Do you recall how Dr. W. Cosby--- Bill Cosby was criticized for suggesting that African-Americans should develop their use of proper English and leave personal communications for the proper opportunity? I hope you will not fall victim to such. Tell your "friends"s when is it proper to speak in slang or Ebonics if you are seeking a position in a major law firm or other prestigious firm? When is it proper for a person to use their own language of natural tongue? Mexican people are being persuaded to learn English because this will be the nation's language so why should it be different for any other group or race not to?

Answer 3

I completely understand. I have that problem too. I am a southern girl and all my friends tell me that I talk "white". I tell them that I do not talk a color I just use proper English. I was taught how to use good grammar and that is what I chose to talk. I was not raised like that and I refuse to transform myself into something that I am not. My fiance is the same way. We both wear Aeropostale, Banana Republic, and The Gap. We as a people are more racist towards our own then any one else. We classify our people as stuck-up or "trying to be white" because we do not use Ebonics or wear Baby Phat and FUBU. Just be you. No matter what people think you know who you are. You are not defined by what you wear or how you talk, you are defined my who you are on the inside. Remember that.

Answer 4

I think it is sad that even so long after the civil war and civil rights act people are still seperating so much and trying to put labels on. Be yourself and the people worth being around are those who like you for who you are. Don't think you have to act a certain way because of your skin color. Oh and another thing, you may get bothered now but soon enough you'll be entering the professional world and your smarts and proper way a speaking will give you a huge leg up. More power to personality.

Answer 5

Why is it when they compare white and black in the U.S. it is so unequal?

They always pick the elite whites from the Hamptons with money and an Ivy League education to represent what being white is. They never would choose "Dog, the Bounty Hunter and Beth" as representatives for being white.

Then they pick the least educated, socially lowest representative of the black population to represent what being black is. They never would choose the Johnson family of Ebony magazine as the representative for being black.

If you were to compare some backwoods white person from a trailer park with a gangster rapper, you'd probably find they have more in common than the trailer park white does with the white person from the Hamptons.

And if you compare the upper-middle-class black families from Atlanta with the whites from the Hamptons, you'd probably find they have more in common than the trailer park whites or the street thug blacks.

I guess it's all about unequal comparisons.

Answer 6

Hang in there. I don't know how old you are, but whether you are a student or you are working somewhere, the people who matter (your teachers or your employer) appreciate your proper grammar. It always struck me as odd that we fight so hard to end segregation and then people segregate themselves to such a degree that if they anything "mainstream" they are "betraying their race." My brother-in-law is Mexican and he grew up in a pretty rough neighborhood in southern Texas. He was the first person in his family to graduate from high school and now he has a college degree. His "friends" from back home always gave him such a rough time for not dropping out of high school. I just don't understand why someone who wants to make something of himself is considered to be some sort of traitor or something. And the worst part of all is that when I say something about how minorities would do themselves a world of good by getting a good education, there are people who say I'm racist and trying to change them and make them white.

Answer 7

Being educated is nothing to be ashamed of. Be yourself. Bill Cosby has said a lot about how blacks talk and how that "black talk" is keeping blacks back. I don't judge anyone based on color or speech anymore than the next guy but I can tell you that if I was hiring for a position I'd hire someone that I can understand and that has a professional tone.

Answer 8

Many Blacks who demonstrate good communication skills are accused trying be white. Such accusations have been going on for ages, but it did not stop them from doing their best. Some go as far as trying not to do well in school so they won't get picked on.

The problem with some Blacks (not all) but some Blacks think they corner the market on what's real, what's Black, and then try to tell another Black person how to be Black.

I think you should keep it real by being your natural-proper talkin' self.

Continue to express well, be well and do well.

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Answer 9

You are not alone. I went to private schools my WHOLE life, including college, never been on public transportation and could not name any popular rap artist to save my life. It has nothing to do with trying to "act white." I am a product of my environment and my parents are college-educated and hard-working African Americans who instilled the importance of knowing how to effectively express myself. Unfortunately, to some of the black community, this is not acceptable. It's rather sad because the only way to move past some of the barriers facing our people, we must be able to understand not only where we come from but where we are going. You keep doing what you are doing, hold your head high and seek out people who uplift and honor your journey.

Answer 10

No it just means your educated. I can talk both ghetto and proper. Some people be like "why are you acting white" but i just be like cause sometimes you have to talk decent but whatever , dont let the haters stop you. Talking "proper" is needed but you can still be ghetto too. I used to have the same problem with people but now i can balance it out without having people asking me why do i act white and im from oakland.

Answer 11

Don't let anyone change you. That only shows you are educated,. There jealous. The world we are growing up into there will be no ebonics. We will all be on a level playing field.
Like it should be. Employers hire people who use good english.
Those who don't make less wages the rest of their life.