[Kim H.]

Ebonics originated the same way most languages develop – out of necessity to communicate. I don’t think most of us black people in the United States see this language as an embodiment of a “slave pathology.” That is a very subjective call, because you have to look at who is in power within the “power structure,” i.e. who is calling all the shots, who is deeming that this language is “less-than”?

When Ebonics is spoken as the primary language, the speaker should understand that people who use this as a primary language are not making the power decisions in this society. Therefore, as with any speaker of a foreign language, those who use Ebonics should learn standard (white) English so that they can switch back and forth using the language that serves them best in a given situation.

The slave mentality that you elude to has mostly to do with believing that one is inferior, worthless, has inferior intelligence, etc., i.e. the basic belief system employed when one race of people is in need of conquering another. You do what you have to do to break down a people in order to “possess” them. I find that embracing even a smidgen of any of the beliefs employed by the oppressor is far more damaging to blacks in the United States than anything else. And it is believing the lie of inferiority that keeps so many people from leading successful lives. Not just blacks folks, either; there are a lot of white people who feel the same way and are stuck. But then I have to ask the question: What is success? And whose measure of success is it?

User Detail :  

Name : Kim H., Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Humanist, Age : 43, City : Minneapolis, State : MN, Country : United States, Occupation : Actress, Playwright and Director, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,