*sigh*

I have been reading some posts on here, in a here and there kind of way. It reminds me a lot of this rather odd situation that I see. I am sure that everyone here is familiar with Haki Madhabuti's(?) Third World Press. I do commend Haki for never setting up shop out in the burbs or the whiter parts of town. His first building was on 76th and Cottage Grove, and then he moved to E 71st, now Third World is located on 78th and Dauphine (I think), not too far from where the orignal stop was set up. If you ever are in Chicago, that is a nice place to visit.

I have been there a few times, it is not far from my home at all, I even tried to get my son in the Mary Shabazz school with no joy, but life is what it is. Anyway, here is this absolutely wonderful institution right there in the community, just a little bit off the main drag of 79th Street. And there is the irony.

79th street is much like any other urban street, likka storesk, niggas hangin out (since the term nigga is found to be offensive by some, I will hence refer to us as 99s) 99s hanging out on corners, a-rab grocery stores, full of over priced, out of date foods, beauty and barbershops all up and down the street, frequented by bootleggers selling everything from a movie that will be in the theaters in two weeks, to knockoff purses, to gymshoes, a virtual hustler's haven. Weed and loose squares sold on every corner even under the two mounted police cameras. I'm sure a few of y'all know what that looks like. All within a stones throw of Third World Publications, a veritable bastion of collected black intellect and history.

But to what avail? Do the 99s even know that it is there (well I do, but I am not all of us, am I?). Is Third World conscious of the nearby 99s? You would have to think that it is. But, TW being there is not making any difference to the 99s a block or two away.

I know in this republican era of self-responsiblity, it is the fault of the 99s that they do not take advantage of the wealth that they do not even know is in their midst. But for what is Third World responsible?

SO what has that got to do with this site, you may be asking yourself. Well go ahead and ask your self. Well y'all remind me of that. With your big words and your fancy eloquent ass speechifyin. How do you reconcile the your use of language with the knowledge that the very language you are so eloquently use, is itself the epitome of white supremacy.

Now I know, there are detractors among you who will be quick to say that if I do no know what y'all is saying, then I need to sharpen my own wits with a dictionary (probably upside the head). I do know what y'all is saying, I don't know why you saying it like that. So then there is the disconnect, y'all got good shit to say for sure, but it would really be nice if ya'll said it so us 99s ain't have to go to a dictionary to break it down. It is offputting it is the exact same shit white people pull in a minute.

quote:

Originally posted by Wiz:

SO what has that got to do with this site, you may be asking yourself. Well go ahead and ask your self. Well y'all remind me of that. With your big words and your fancy eloquent ass speechifyin. How do you reconcile the your use of language with the knowledge that the very language you are so eloquently use, is itself the epitome of white supremacy.

Now I know, there are detractors among you who will be quick to say that if I do no know what y'all is saying, then I need to sharpen my own wits with a dictionary (probably upside the head). I do know what y'all is saying, I don't know why you saying it like that. So then there is the disconnect, y'all got good shit to say for sure, but it would really be nice if ya'll said it so us 99s ain't have to go to a dictionary to break it down. It is offputting it is the exact same shit white people pull in a minute.

Would you prefer we post in Swahili? Or some Wolof dialect?

Then folks would really need to live out of a dictionary.

..... ok... I just wanted to say....nigga is not the definition for a BLACK person. Those whities just got it wrong back in the day.

quote:

Originally posted by Wiz:
*sigh*

I have been reading some posts on here, in a here and there kind of way. It reminds me a lot of this rather odd situation that I see. I am sure that everyone here is familiar with Haki Madhabuti's(?) Third World Press. I do commend Haki for never setting up shop out in the burbs or the whiter parts of town. His first building was on 76th and Cottage Grove, and then he moved to E 71st, now Third World is located on 78th and Dauphine (I think), not too far from where the orignal stop was set up. If you ever are in Chicago, that is a nice place to visit.

I have been there a few times, it is not far from my home at all, I even tried to get my son in the Mary Shabazz school with no joy, but life is what it is. Anyway, here is this absolutely wonderful institution right there in the community, just a little bit off the main drag of 79th Street. And there is the irony.

79th street is much like any other urban street, likka storesk, niggas hangin out (since the term nigga is found to be offensive by some, I will hence refer to us as 99s) 99s hanging out on corners, a-rab grocery stores, full of over priced, out of date foods, beauty and barbershops all up and down the street, frequented by bootleggers selling everything from a movie that will be in the theaters in two weeks, to knockoff purses, to gymshoes, a virtual hustler's haven. Weed and loose squares sold on every corner even under the two mounted police cameras. I'm sure a few of y'all know what that looks like. All within a stones throw of Third World Publications, a veritable bastion of collected black intellect and history.

But to what avail? Do the 99s even know that it is there (well I do, but I am not all of us, am I?). Is Third World conscious of the nearby 99s? You would have to think that it is. But, TW being there is not making any difference to the 99s a block or two away.

I know in this republican era of self-responsiblity, it is the fault of the 99s that they do not take advantage of the wealth that they do not even know is in their midst. But for what is Third World responsible?

SO what has that got to do with this site, you may be asking yourself. Well go ahead and ask your self. Well y'all remind me of that. With your big words and your fancy eloquent ass speechifyin. How do you reconcile the your use of language with the knowledge that the very language you are so eloquently use, is itself the epitome of white supremacy.

Now I know, there are detractors among you who will be quick to say that if I do no know what y'all is saying, then I need to sharpen my own wits with a dictionary (probably upside the head). I do know what y'all is saying, I don't know why you saying it like that. So then there is the disconnect, y'all got good shit to say for sure, but it would really be nice if ya'll said it so us 99s ain't have to go to a dictionary to break it down. It is offputting it is the exact same shit white people pull in a minute.

~I agree, Wiz. Kinda "bourgie" in here at times, huh? Which MIGHT be okay if it wasn't mixed in with VERY common vulgarities, and VERY common "street" dispositions. The way they relate in here is straight up "street". I get a kick out of watching the balancing act, though. You can take 'em out of the 'hood, but you can't take the 'hood out of 'em, I guess.~

Here ya go:

Merriam-Webster Online

Bookmark it.

quote:

I don't no nothing

'Tis true fair naïve one... Thou dost lack the proper intellect...

Thou dost tarry a bit with thy King's English as well...

quote:

Originally posted by Wiz:
*sigh*

{SNIP}

Now I know, there are detractors among you who will be quick to say that if I do no know what y'all is saying, then I need to sharpen my own wits with a dictionary (probably upside the head). I do know what y'all is saying, I don't know why you saying it like that. So then there is the disconnect, y'all got good shit to say for sure, but it would really be nice if ya'll said it so us 99s ain't have to go to a dictionary to break it down. It is offputting it is the exact same shit white people pull in a minute.

Wow, glad to know it's not just me. On more than one occasion I've come right out and said I don't understand a poster's comments.

That's cool. I appreciate your comments Wiz, but I don't write for everyone and I don't particularly care if you understand what I am saying or not because 99% of the time I am not writing for you.

Bougie has nothing to do with intellect because as I have said many times I have done more for and with grassroots black folks since my teens than most folks. When I talk to them they feel me because I am talking to them in ways they can understand.

I come to this site precisely because I can talk the way I talk and expect people to catch what I am saying in the words I want to say it.

Its not personal, some of the conversation quite frankly might just not be for you.

gee.

quote:

Originally posted by ATPWordPro:

quote:

Originally posted by Wiz:
*sigh*

{SNIP}

Now I know, there are detractors among you who will be quick to say that if I do no know what y'all is saying, then I need to sharpen my own wits with a dictionary (probably upside the head). I do know what y'all is saying, I don't know why you saying it like that. So then there is the disconnect, y'all got good shit to say for sure, but it would really be nice if ya'll said it so us 99s ain't have to go to a dictionary to break it down. It is offputting it is the exact same shit white people pull in a minute.

Wow, glad to know it's not just me. On more than one occasion I've come right out and said I don't understand a poster's comments.

I've had to read some poster's comments- TWICE.

and 'three times' on sundays.

quote:

Originally posted by urbansun:
That's cool. I appreciate your comments Wiz, but I don't write for everyone and I don't particularly care if you understand what I am saying or not because 99% of the time I am not writing for you.

Bougie has nothing to do with intellect because as I have said many times I have done more for and with grassroots black folks since my teens than most folks. When I talk to them they feel me because I am talking to them in ways they can understand.

I come to this site precisely because I can talk the way I talk and expect people to catch what I am saying in the words I want to say it.

Its not personal, some of the conversation quite frankly might just not be for you.

First, you need to know that I have no problem understanding what is written by anyone one any board anywhere. Please, know that, deep in your soul, deeper. So stop the condescending bullshit. It ain't me.

I know you are not writing for me, it is pretty obvious you do not know me (no matter how I explain myself), but then the question is, why are you writing at all? And for who? For yourself?

I never said nothing about boogie. There is nothing wrong with talking the way you want to talk, the question I would like an answer to is why you want to talk that way?


See this is what pisses me off. I speak out on something and you automatically assume (wrong as hell) that it affects me directly. That is a very typical management type reaction. The fact that others have agreed with me means nothing to you. That bothers me.

As a writer, I think I need to repeat that. As a writer, words are part of my vocation (okay, so it is sort of an imagined vocation, but my passion all the same), I deal very seriously with words. Not just the ones I write, but the ones I read as well. What you say, is easy to get to. We are all on line and have access to a lot of different dictionaries n'shit, right? Some of us own Macs and can simply right click on any word anywhere and immediately get the definition. So what you say, never escapes anyone. Know that. But, how you say what you say and why you say it that way is only determined by context, and not necessarily the context under which you say it, but our total online interaction, from one to ten thousand posts, this is how we know you. You can tell us anything, that you built a library in Ninth Ward with your bare hands from a pile of garbage you found on the side of the road and we would have to accept that or not. But how you say what you say, does indeed speak to us about how you feel about us. But like you said, it ain't us you talkin to. Cool.

Man, I know this guy that used to post on a board I did. He would only post in Ebonics, not slang, but Ebonics, his shit was hard as hell to read sometimes. One of the funniest things that would happen when he would post, is that someone would talk about the language he used. The funny thing is that he was a word freak, I mean one of the high IQ scrabble playing motherfuckers. His name is Marlon Hill, feel free to google him.

We did not often agree. His frame of reference was that if you want to know how to do right, look at what white people do and do the opposite. Their use of the english language should be rejected at every opportunity. I hate white talking black people. I hate that shit with a passion. Yeah, I can keep up with it, but while I push off a lot of those white supremacy rantings as bullshit, I will cosign with all the spirit of the Ancestors, that they abuse of words is some of the most racist, white supremacist shit if ever there was any. And why black people want to have any parts of that shit is beyond me.


you know I don't no nothing.

I'm sorry. I did not mean to take that out on you. I felt insulted because you ignored what I said in favor of condescending to me. (Well if you do not understand what I say, then I am not talking to you).

Every black person in america has had at least one white person play that shit with us. It offends me greatly to see black people want to repeat it.

quote:

Originally posted by Fabulous:

quote:

Originally posted by ATPWordPro:

quote:

Originally posted by Wiz:
*sigh*

{SNIP}

Now I know, there are detractors among you who will be quick to say that if I do no know what y'all is saying, then I need to sharpen my own wits with a dictionary (probably upside the head). I do know what y'all is saying, I don't know why you saying it like that. So then there is the disconnect, y'all got good shit to say for sure, but it would really be nice if ya'll said it so us 99s ain't have to go to a dictionary to break it down. It is offputting it is the exact same shit white people pull in a minute.

Wow, glad to know it's not just me. On more than one occasion I've come right out and said I don't understand a poster's comments.

I've had to read some poster's comments- TWICE.

and 'three times' on sundays.

thank you!!!
nice to see uppity blk folks but damn....

quote:

Originally posted by Wiz:

Every black person in america has had at least one white person play that shit with us. It offends me greatly to see black people want to repeat it.

quote:

Originally posted by Wiz:
I hate white talking black people. I hate that shit with a passion.

Just curious ....

What, exactly, does a white talking black person talk like? More importantly ... what does a black talking black person say instead/differently?

Are you suggesting that dialog here should be in Ebonics because it is an African American message board? Or that we should dummy-down our vocabulary because Black people can't/shouldn't/don't have one on the same level as white folks??

I'm just trying to understand your basic point here.

White talking black people. Well that is that nasal bullshit where people would have two syllables in the word school. Black people say 'skul' white people say 'sku-ol'.

White people say, "I'm afraid I will need you to elucidate on your previous prognostication regarding our present or future ratification of the statement in paragraph two, section c, part 21. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter an look forward to hearing from you soon."

Black people say "Say what?" or "S'cuse me?" or the ever popular. "What the fuck is this shit?"


My point is that the people who would most benefit from your knowledge are disengaged by your choice of words. I am saying that we know that this is the exact kind of behavior that white people have attempted to use against us, because they too think their language over our head (have you read a user agreement lately). We know how they use the english language against us to obfuscate and avoid making any sense. So with each other, it is good and respectful that we be clear, concise and so simple a child can understand it, cuz then we are engaged because we feel you ain't tryna bullshit us (like they be doing). The irony is that I was reading a post about europeans being double talking hypocrites (which is true) so then in passing this information on, why would you choose to emulate their double talking and insulting hypocrisy, unless you... well you get the picture.

Here is a question for you. What is wrong with Ebonics that you would not post in it? Or speak it at every opportunity given you? Money?

Okay ... I'm trying really hard to believe that you are not trying to be insulting ... even though I do believe I am more than a little incensed by your insinuations here!

I'm not sure why you believe that grown, adult, mostly higher-educated Black people need to be talked to at a "child-like" level ... but, I will tell you that I don't share your opinion in regards to it.

I agree that discussion on this board has sent me to a dictionary probably more times than I would care to use one! But I, personally, don't have a problem with elevating my vocabulary ... or my knowledge base when I am in question of somebody's point of view simply by asking them to be more clear.

The thought of asking Black folks to "dummy-down" their conversation is something I find inconceivable. If you want the low-rent version of Black conversation, I would suggest the BET message board down the hall and to the right!

Like it or not, English is the "universal language" of our time. It is taught/spoken in some of the remotest parts of the world. Trying to suppress it as opposed to master it, I believe, sends us downward at a time when we are trying to uplift. And I don't see a benefit to that.

@Wiz

Personally, I think YOU are the one condescending & insulting. You remind me of a condescending, 'know-it-all' white person at best.

First, you come here questioning why any black person would find the term "Buckwheat" insulting, now you imply, imo, black folk ALL speak & know ebonics. What's next?

We all eat fried chicken & chitlins too?

please.

You sure have black folk placed in a neat little box of your own making.

People are not 'what you say they are' simply because YOU SAY SO.

For a new person, you have been rude from the jump and it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Why are you so insulting? Are you always this way when entering a 'new house' sorta speak?

It all seems so very 'white privilege' of you.

I am rude. It is my make-up. Sorry.

I am not condescending, perhaps upending, but not condescending. As to weather or not all black people speak and know Ebonics, I think we do all know it, I do not think we all speak it, but I never implied that we do or should either. What I am saying, is that speaking plainly and clearly is always the best way to go, when speaking with anyone. No matter who you are talking to or what you are talking about. (Everybody don't eat fried chicken? I don't each chitterlings).

You said

quote:

People are not 'what you say they are' simply because YOU SAY SO.

Does that mean they are what I say they are, but not because I said it? Or they are not what I say they are?

Are you familiar with the idea of Killing the Buddha?

more later...