White people that “talk black” (counselor, woman, thoughts, parent)

[GoAmericaGo]

I’m from a pretty mixed race city in the south — many poor blacks, Hispanics and whites. Fairly often I will see a white person — often women under 40 that pronounce their words with a very drawn out “black” accent. In school we had a few girls that would change their voice starting in middle school. When I worked in a group home on the girls unit there were always a few girls that would try to “talk black” and incorporate black hip hop culture into their identity. As a counselor I knew where they were from and lots of details about their past.

Anyways, I can’t help but cringe when I see it. As humans we can’t help but notice patterns so when you notice 95% of black in your area speak a certain way and then you hear someone that isn’t black speaking the same way you can’t help but notice.

It fascinates me. Like at what point do most of those people start practicing it? Are they simply searching for identity/coolness?

Please don’t let this topic devolve into “you’re racist”.

[fleetiebelle]

People tend to use the speech patterns of their family, community, and the people they are around most often. There's no one way that Black people talk.

[GoAmericaGo]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

People tend to use the speech patterns of their family, community, and the people they are around most often. There's no one way that Black people talk.

Absolutely there’s not. However there is a pretty predominate way of talking in many if not most areas with a high concentration of working class/poor blacks. Anyone that lives in a major metro that’s 30-40%+ black will know what I’m talking about.

[treemoni]

Originally Posted by GoAmericaGo

It fascinates me. Like at what point do most of those people start practicing it? Are they simply searching for identity/coolness?

You're not being racist, so ask your neighbors. Seems they're the best source for your inquiry.

[GoAmericaGo]

Originally Posted by treemoni

You're not being racist, so ask your neighbors. Seems they're the best source for your inquiry.

If it comes up or I find a way to jump into that conversation I will. But I guess we could say that for everything posted on city data…”ask your neighbors”, LOL.

[ticking]

Originally Posted by GoAmericaGo

Anyways, I can’t help but cringe when I see it. As humans we can’t help but notice patterns so when you notice 95% of black in your area speak a certain way and then you hear someone that isn’t black speaking the same way you can’t help but notice.

It fascinates me. Like at what point do most of those people start practicing it? Are they simply searching for identity/coolness?

If a person is young, perhaps they want to fit in, or 'be cool'.
Older people are probably trying to be nice and maybe overdo it a bit, but intent isn't bad.
Other people may like the way the black slang sounds and would like to be a part of it even if they aren't black themselves. There is already a lot of black originated slang in our lexicon, if somebody from the 1960's heard you speak, they might think you are 'trying to be black' and you wouldn't be aware why they came to that conclusion.

[GoAmericaGo]

Originally Posted by ticking

If a person is young, perhaps they want to fit in, or 'be cool'.
Older people are probably trying to be nice and maybe overdo it a bit, but intent isn't bad.
Other people may like the way the black slang sounds and would like to be a part of it even if they aren't black themselves. There is already a lot of black originated slang in our lexicon, if somebody from the 1960's heard you speak, they might think you are 'trying to be black' and you wouldn't be aware why they came to that conclusion.

I doubt that. I’m very conscious of my words and beyond say high school I’ve never tried to incorporate any slang or “cool” new words into my vocabulary. In fact I recently started making a list of words/phrases I hear that are rather annoying (not nessesarily words that have anything to do with “talking black”) due to overuse. For example:

- Living my/your best life
- bro
- keep it 100
- swag
- on God
- lit
- fire
- thirsty
- basic
- fam
- sus
- savage

They are especially annoying when 25+ yr old middle class white people use them thinking they are being hip or cute or “down” with black culture…or something. If they say them with an especially thick accent that sounds like they are someone like “Birdman” (a rapper) — that’s when things get in to the realm of unbelievable.

[WannabeCPA]

Where did these white people who "talk black" grow up and who do they hang around with? I think you'll find your answer right there. Like another poster said, people tend to talk like those they associate with most often. Nothing surprising about that.

[GoAmericaGo]

Originally Posted by WannabeCPA

Where did these white people who "talk black" grow up and who do they hang around with? I think you'll find your answer right there. Like another poster said, people tend to talk like those they associate with most often. Nothing surprising about that.

Speaking personally, I don’t know many white people that grew up in the 80s and 90s with parents or grandparents that “talked black”. For those I know it had to become a personal decision over some period of time. Some started in middle school or high school — I imagine to gain more acceptance by the people they decided were cool (Tupac, Biggie, etc were peaking in my young days so “gansta” was the bees knees) and who they wanted to be friends with. Typically accompanied by altering their fashion choices too.

Some of the girls grew up pure working class white with parents from the sticks and now day be talkin lik dis rite her…even in written form on Facebook. Now how you go from being a 4-12 yr old kid that had no discernible accent compared to every other white kid at school to sounding like you grew up in da hood is beyond me. We were in the same darn classes and had the same well spoken mostly white teachers too. The cognitive gymnastics at play are truly fascinating when it comes to adopting accents. Imagine living for years or the rest of your life where your brain has thoughts but also has to monitor and alter the sound of the words that come out.

[Seguinite]

I knew a white woman married to a black man that would switch back and forth between distinct ebonics and 'regular' english depending on who she was talking to.