Know What I'm Saying? Actually I don't. This is probably the number one saying that gets on my last nerve. I know every generation has its own sayings and catch phrases. Some of these "terms" are overused. It just makes me winder, if people can speak proper English. Let alone think.
Other annoying sayings that get on my nerves:
Keep(ing) It Real
Chilling
Son (Put on the end of every sentence)
Because I'm Black
My Baby's Mama
Drop It Like It's Hot
I think we have too many shortcuts to good English. I have had to put up with Ebonics. I for one am against them because there is an assumption that ALL black people speak this way. I wasn't born in the South. I have two West Indian parents with British accents. For white people and some black to think that people of color speak this way is absurd. English may not be our first language, but to thrive and survive in this country, you need to master the language.
I don't know if it's because I'm getting older.( No, that can't be it. wink) Or because I'm a mom. My thought is that if our children can't speak in complete sentences, we have a problem. What they say and how they talk with their friends is one thing. In my house, I really don't want to hear the "slang speak." I warn my teen that "slang speak" is fine for your friends, but no future employer is going to hire our tweens, if they tell a customer to "quit tripping" if they have to wait for their food order. Or to "check themselves" because the cable went out on their TV.
See my point? What bothers you?
Slang has a place in our world. It has no place in our business/customer service world. It needs to take a backseat for many teens. They need to be ready academically and vocally. Our children fall behind in many categories and the workplace shouldn't be one of them. Many people automatically assume that black children don't know the language and can't speak anyway. When we do speak proper English, some black people think we speak "White" and challenge our Blackness. That's just ludicrous. I'd like to see ALL our children prove them wrong.
Posted By: Marsha Jones
Monday, September 6th 2010 at 1:06PM
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