Posted by Slavei at adsl-68-23-35-5.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net on December 09, 2003 at 23:01:18:
In Reply to: Is it just me... posted by Deltron on December 09, 2003 at 22:23:42:
I can understand the black culture wanting something of their own since almost everything has been predominantly white in this country. They want to separate themselves from the white culture in a form of self-empowerment, and that's understandable.
What I don't understand is how can a language of slang - which is basically bad grammar & made-up words - self-empowering? Using terms like "queer" by homosexuals amongst themselves or the "n word" by blacks (sorry but I won't say "African-American" since not everyone I'd be referring to is American or African) is empowering. Saying '50 Cent' instead of '50 CentS' is just bad grammar. Saying something like 'fashizzle' sounds just plain ridiculous. None of that is 'cool' at all.
If I wanted to empower myself, I wouldn't do things that would be the subject of ridicule or make people think I dropped out of school in the 3rd grade. I'd want to show others I have a brain.
But it seems these days - no matter what color you are - it's cool to be a 'slacker' in attitude or dress. *Sigh*