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The Real Reason the Harris Twang Is Driving Republicans Crazy
The New York Times ^ | Sept. 18, 2024, 5:04 a.m. ET | Elizabeth Spiers

Posted on 09/18/2024 1:16:27 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

As is the case for many people who grew up in the Deep South but have lived somewhere else for many years, the Southern accent I once had has given way to the “nowhere man” accent that I think of as generically American. But it comes roaring back when I visit my family in central Alabama, and even lingers for a few days after I have returned to Brooklyn. It’s also a little more pronounced after a martini (or two).

No one gets offended when my Southern accent comes and goes. For Kamala Harris, it’s a different story. Figures on the political right, including JD Vance, Donald Trump and various conservative internet celebrities, have accused Ms. Harris of affecting a Southern accent on the campaign trail, and implied that it was a kind of deception.

Ms. Harris, who is not from the South, wasn’t using a Southern accent, though. As John McWhorter has recently pointed out, what Ms. Harris was slipping into was Black English. There’s nothing unusual about her using Black English because to state the obvious (to everyone except Donald Trump, apparently) Ms. Harris is Black.

So what’s really bothering Republicans? The answer has nothing to do with linguistic purity. It has everything to do with cultural stereotypes — and electoral math.

Studies show that people with Southern accents are often regarded as less intelligent, even by people who have those accents themselves. It’s a learned bias that begins at a young age. There’s also a class bias; people associate deeper Southern accents with lower income, an impression that can translate into wage discrimination and fewer opportunities for professional advancement — one of many reasons people with accents may work consciously to...

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Humor
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There’s nothing unusual about her using Black English because to state the obvious (to everyone except Donald Trump, apparently) Ms. Harris is Black.

She grew up in the wealthiest neighborhood of Canada and never spoke Black English.

Whatever the homemade accent she is using, it is hers alone.

1 posted on 09/18/2024 1:16:27 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

.....except when she claims to be full Indian....

But then again. Black dna was shoved down her throat.....


2 posted on 09/18/2024 1:17:43 PM PDT by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
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To: Organic Panic

You never hear her slip into a 711 accent.


3 posted on 09/18/2024 1:20:45 PM PDT by HYPOCRACY (Brandon's pronouns: Xi/Hur)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I am surprised she doesn’t fall into Quebecois, because that is where she spent her formative years.


4 posted on 09/18/2024 1:21:03 PM PDT by Vermont Lt (Don’t vote for anyone over 70 years old. Get rid of the geriatric politicians.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“Black English’ is a completely different thing from a fake, exaggerated Black American accent. The woman is an insulting panderer, and I’m sure that isn’t lost on many Black Americans.


5 posted on 09/18/2024 1:24:03 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

In all my travels in Canada I never once heard “black English,” yo. Wassup wid dat?


6 posted on 09/18/2024 1:24:45 PM PDT by Alberta's Child (“Ain't it funny how the night moves … when you just don't seem to have as much to lose.”)
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To: HYPOCRACY
...or a Jamaican accent.

"Skettel smoke so much spliff."

7 posted on 09/18/2024 1:25:16 PM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I think this propagandist is confusing craziness with uproarious laughter.


8 posted on 09/18/2024 1:25:44 PM PDT by Seruzawa ("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Communist? Warmonger? Gun Grabber?


9 posted on 09/18/2024 1:26:59 PM PDT by Jan_Sobieski (Sanctification)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Exactly. Conservatives don't hate her accent because it's Southern, they hate it because it's fake--just like her.


10 posted on 09/18/2024 1:27:11 PM PDT by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia!)
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To: Organic Panic; HYPOCRACY

You guys are killin me.

Back atcha ;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffvlmxL7NkU

(a colleague just showed be that; I’m still chuckling):


11 posted on 09/18/2024 1:27:40 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
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To: Organic Panic
OMG ROFLOL


12 posted on 09/18/2024 1:29:03 PM PDT by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )
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To: Vermont Lt

“I am surprised she doesn’t fall into Quebecois, because that is where she spent her formative years.“

She was too stupid to learn French.

She stayed in the wealthy anglophone enclave.

But yeah, your point is good.

She can imitate people she met at Howard when she went to college but more so, imitate characters on TV and in movies.

Any American can imitate this tripe of accent/speech.


13 posted on 09/18/2024 1:30:02 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

She heard it on TV and movies and probably heard it in college at Howard.

But anyone can do that accent. It’s not hard.


14 posted on 09/18/2024 1:32:09 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Its condescending. But liberals and a liberal news paper would know all about being condescending.


15 posted on 09/18/2024 1:36:24 PM PDT by dhs12345
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

There is no Harris twang, you idiots.


16 posted on 09/18/2024 1:37:54 PM PDT by TalBlack (Fight Fight Fight America https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKOJdMog6T0)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

as a Southerner now existing, just barely,in L A, i always have a bad reaction to fake Southern accents - most people can’t imitate well but they think they persuade with a twisted attempt.of course i consider it an insult to my intelligence. now we saw KH dip into a bit of Hispanic talk yesterday - i don’t think there is an Hispanic colony in her Brentwood ‘hood, but maybe she imitates her housekeeper/maid. she is quite the shapeshifter, no telling what the core is. red flags galore.


17 posted on 09/18/2024 1:39:45 PM PDT by avital2
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“”to everyone except Donald Trump, apparently) Ms. Harris is Black.””

I love how these idiots presuppose they’re speaking for EVERYONE.

“To state the obvious” that woman IS NOT BLACK!


18 posted on 09/18/2024 1:42:29 PM PDT by Thank You Rush
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To: TalBlack

Hmmmm! I thought it was perhaps the “twang” of an elastic knee pad band breaking loose. 😳


19 posted on 09/18/2024 1:43:19 PM PDT by rktman (Destroy America from within? Check! WTH? Enlisted USN 1967 to end up with this💩? 🚫💉! 🇮🇱👍!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

It’s just the inner hood rat coming through


20 posted on 09/18/2024 1:46:11 PM PDT by bk1000 (Banned from Breitbart)
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