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 ...
Middle class Kamala
The NYT really has the dumbest, most unethical writers as evidenced by this woman.
Ask Harris’ father what he thinks of her accent.
New York Times making excuses for Harris article.
#1 - that is not “Black English” (or Ebonics-light). She literally is trying to mimic a traditional Southern drawl...
#2 - She didn’t speak “Black English” until she jumped into politics (following her jumping on the couch with Willie).
#3 - She is faker than Bill Clinton claims of virginity...
That Marxist has been dead for some time...
My God Leroy, us Rednecks aren’t supposed to be able to spell condescension, much less recognize it when it comes down from the superior educated elite!
This article is a piece of crap.
Appears listed as still living in Stanford website and Wikipedia.
Den you bettuh THAINK a yoonyon membuh!
No, she is not! She is at a bare minimum 50% Indian (Asian), and somewhere near 50% Afro Jamaican, with other potential mixed races in the genealogical line.
I'd call it a yodelwhine.
It neither “bothers” us nor drives us “crazy.”
It makes us laugh at her.
And ol’ Kam Kam pretends to care about us even though in reality she doesn't give a sh!t about us and will dump us in a second once the illegals that have flooded our borders and become citizens and have enough critical mass as a voting block.
Minorities don't get it. They are only important to Democrats while they are useful. And they will be dumped in a second for all of the new “Democrat voters” who will be competing for the same resources.
LOL
Driving Republicans crazy? Like multiple assassination attempts crazy?
“ There’s nothing unusual about her using Black English because to state the obvious (to everyone except Donald Trump, apparently) Ms. Harris is Black.”
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That’s right… if you have any questions on the best hair-straightener to use, she’s your gal. /sarc
Using “black English” from ANY presidential candidate is pure racism especially when their “real English” is SAN FRANCISCO elite.
Because it’s phoney?
Let’s face it, Kamala is a “mutt”.
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