Amen to that! I've long been convinced that language is a far more important factor than racial appearance in belonging to the group. To put it another way, people identify others with their ears far more than with their eyes.
Amen to that! I've long been convinced that language is a far more important factor than racial appearance in belonging to the group. To put it another way, people identify others with their ears far more than with their eyes.
This part of the post caught my attention as well. Efforts to promote such things as "Eubonics" will never help the black child succeed, where excellent language skills will.
The oratory skills of Ambassador Alan Keyes are an excellent example. Beyond his highly commendable moral leadership one cannot but appreciate listening to him for his "command" of the language, whether you agree with his conservative views or not (and I greatly do!!). Now compare the respect and appreciation for the demonstrated "learning" of an Alan Keyes to a Rev Jesse Jackson for example .... no contest!
I always want to "correct" African-American's (in private of course) when they say "Axe" instead of "Ask" ... but never knowing how they might take such correction, I never do. Cry's of Eubonics or being called a racist always cross my mind. But this one word and it's misuse are what stand out the most as an example of learning that this well writen piece makes me think about.
Excellent writeup and discussion ...