A Public Service Announcement
May. 9th, 2007 07:31 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cinema_babeTo all my Caucasian friends, LJ and RL
I haven't encountered this in anyone under 40 or so; I'm going to assume it's a generational thing but I'm going to pass this along to all of you anyway.
Telling a black person that they "speak well" or "are very articulate" is *not* a complement. Please note that I said that it is *not* a complement. That statement makes it seem that it's some sort of surprise to the white person when a black person opens their mouth and it doesn't sound like James Brown. It's a bit like saying to a Jewish person, "Gee, you're so generous!" A complement with a racist insult hidden inside.
This happened to me (again) last night, someone made a point to approach me and tell me how articulate and well spoken I was. I just said, "As opposed to what?" I am a (fairly) well educated college graduate. I talk the way my mother does because she taught me how to talk. My Nana spoke like this; my siblings talk like I do. Jesus Christ on a Pogo Stick, what was this person expecting me to sound like? Never mind I probably don't want to know.
I've heard someone say it about Colon Powell, I've heard it said about Barak Obama and Sidney Portier and Hallie Berry and pretty much any black person who doesn't speak like a thug rapper.
The concept of the "Bigotry of Low Expectations" has been hijacked by certain segments of the political arena and the part about that which sucks is that it truly does exist and is a more pervasive and insidious then blatant cross burning.
It happens more often than you might imagine.
"You speak so well": Just. Don't. Say. It.
(You know if you're Asian, Hispanic, Black or whatever, please don't say it either. Thanks)
We now return you to your normally scheduled wackiness.
I haven't encountered this in anyone under 40 or so; I'm going to assume it's a generational thing but I'm going to pass this along to all of you anyway.
Telling a black person that they "speak well" or "are very articulate" is *not* a complement. Please note that I said that it is *not* a complement. That statement makes it seem that it's some sort of surprise to the white person when a black person opens their mouth and it doesn't sound like James Brown. It's a bit like saying to a Jewish person, "Gee, you're so generous!" A complement with a racist insult hidden inside.
This happened to me (again) last night, someone made a point to approach me and tell me how articulate and well spoken I was. I just said, "As opposed to what?" I am a (fairly) well educated college graduate. I talk the way my mother does because she taught me how to talk. My Nana spoke like this; my siblings talk like I do. Jesus Christ on a Pogo Stick, what was this person expecting me to sound like? Never mind I probably don't want to know.
I've heard someone say it about Colon Powell, I've heard it said about Barak Obama and Sidney Portier and Hallie Berry and pretty much any black person who doesn't speak like a thug rapper.
The concept of the "Bigotry of Low Expectations" has been hijacked by certain segments of the political arena and the part about that which sucks is that it truly does exist and is a more pervasive and insidious then blatant cross burning.
It happens more often than you might imagine.
"You speak so well": Just. Don't. Say. It.
(You know if you're Asian, Hispanic, Black or whatever, please don't say it either. Thanks)
We now return you to your normally scheduled wackiness.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
presumptive
Date: 2007-05-10 10:56 pm (UTC)Saying "you speak well" and "you speak well for a black person" are two completely different statement. Or I should say they can be different depending upon the intent behind statement.
To assume that it's not just a compliment is assuming the white person is a racist when in fact it could just be a compliment. Sure, there are some (lots even) folks that are racists assholes but there are lots that aren't too.
Re: presumptive
Date: 2007-05-11 11:19 am (UTC)There is a vast difference between "you speak well" and "you speak well for a black person" You can tell the difference by the context in which it is said, the tone of voice and body language. Any woman who has ever been patronized would understand the tone and attitude I'm referencing.
Also, let me address the use of the term "racist". I specifically didn't refer to the man who said it; I don't think he is. I certainly don't think he's an asshole. Applying that term as a description for a person is like a chile pepper that should be used sparingly to describe the most outrageous of attitudes and behaviors.
I draw a clear distinction something that is (likely) racist that is said in passing and a person who is labeled a racist and I think it's very important to do so.
Someone who says something that I (and many other Black Americans) find irritating and condescending might be uninformed, ignorant, and/or operating under mistaken pre-conceived notions but is not likely *not* racist.
So to recap:
1. I agree with you
2. Context in everything when interpreting the what someone means
3. Making a statement the I perceive as having racist elements *does not* necessarily make a person a racist
BTW: Welcome to my journal. How did you find me?