What is it like talking to a black person who has a “white” trait?

Question

For example what is it like talking to a black person who talks in a well-spoken, “white” manner

Lliam · Accepted Answer

It means that they had a good upbringing in a decent neighborhood, and valued education. It has nothing to do with race.

When I was eleven years old, I got my first guitar. My dad was a top machinist at an aerospace corporation and knew an engineer there who was a guitarist and offered to give me some lessons.

When Mr. Freeman showed up at our house in a lily white neighborhood, I was surprised. He was a tall, slender, elegant, black man with a cool goatee. He was not just a guitarist. He was a master flamenco guitarist. He had traveled to Spain twice to study the craft. But he could play anything and could probably play jazz like a fiend.

He was kind, patient, soft spoken, and obviously more sophisticated, educated and worldly than my parents. He didn't "act" like caricatures of black people and he had no chip on his shoulder. He was simply an admirable human being.

This was in 1965. He had accomplished all that, including becoming an aerospace engineer during segregation. Civil rights protests were in full swing and the Watts riots were happening at the same time that he was coming to our house.

He had obviously been raised right. And, whether he realized it or not, he was like an ambassador from the black community to our home. I idolized him. From that point on, I could never be racially prejudiced, not that I was before.

In 1980, I got a job with an auto insurance company. Lots of black people worked there in all capacities including supervisors, managers and vice presidents. Like Mr. Freeman, they were bright, educated, friendly, and human. They didn't act or talk "black". Many were more sophisticated than was I. I became very good friends with quite a few. Neither they nor I judged anyone based on race or color. We were just people.

I understand that the African American experience was different from that of "whites". And that experience resulted in a unique culture. Sometimes my black friends and acquaintances would do the "black" thing by saying certain things or using slang in a certain way that was super funny just to joke around. A white person could say the same things and never be that funny. Black culture can be super cool at times. But that doesn't mean that they are incapable of speaking and acting like the general population. After all, ghetto is just ghetto, regardless of race.

MiddleAgedClimbee · Accepted Answer

I've never looked at someone's verbal tendencies, or pronunciations, is completely related to their ethnic heritage, I've always thought people spoken how they wanted to be heard, and perhaps perceived. Growing up in the St. Louis area, I've witnessed a wide variety of speech patterns from all ethnicities, who are trying to identify with specific ways of life. That seems like a polite way to say it.

rigmarole · Answer

It's hilarious that you think speaking a language in a normal way is a White trait. Just about every race and nationality of people on the plant tend to pick up English just like White people when they live in western English speaking countries. Black Americans choose to speak differently most of the time because they don't want to assimilate like everyone else.

Joshydavid25 · Answer

From what experience they usually have a good since of humor, I actually prefer to see a "Black" person with proper English, than you know, super Ebonics.. I've been told I sound like I'm from the Suburbs in Highschool, not exactly "White" sounding, but more "proper" sounding..

JayBones · Answer

White isn't a real thing. They use this term to shame POC from acting normal. Notice how staying married, raising kids, following the law is acting "white" after they just spent 20 years or more Demonizing "white" they don't want strong black men, they want you to weaken western civilization.

ImHere22 · Answer

Okay so repeat what you said but say it how you would normally say it because people who say you sound white are oddly jealous of something not extraordinary.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Let Eddie demonstrate it:

RavVid · Answer

If you are speaking English you are by definition speaking a white language. Being well spoken is a good thing in my view.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Just like to any other white guy with a deep dark tan.

Surely · Answer

To me. Speaking to a black person who has white traits. Is like speaking to a white person with a all over tan!

laly520 · Answer

I don't see any difference in it

Zestyassmf1997 · Answer

Just like a regular conversation.

What is it like talking to a black person who has a “white” trait?

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