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The problem (IMO) isn't your suggestion that marginalized people be taught to use and understand General American, it's that you characterize speaking Black Eng
by unclenoriega 8y ago
The problem (IMO) isn't your suggestion that marginalized people be taught to use and understand General American, it's that you characterize speaking Black English as a pathology.
It can be important to speak the prestige language if one wants to advance in society, but it's not a medical problem to speak a local dialect. Would you advise an aspiring London barrister from Yorkshire to see a therapist or watch some YouTube videos on RP?
- krapp 8y agoIt is odd that English is accepted as having many local dialects... except among black people, who are just too ignorant to speak it properly.
- LyndsySimon 8y agoAs a white man with a strong Southern accent - when I don't suppress it, which I do in professional settings - I assure you that looking down on someone because of their dialect is not solely determined by skin color :)
- krapp 8y agoFair enough, but skin color is definitely a factor, particularly where law enforcement is concerned.