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Ever since i joined Twitter, I have been majorly slacking in the BLOGGING department.
But just a while ago,
A tweet that I posted triggered off a major argument amongst a group of fellow tweeters who mistook my Intent behind that tweet as RACISM.
Hence I just want to take the opportunity on this blog to CLARIFY my stand.
I DIDN'T MEAN TO BE RACIST . It is funny how a person's OWN mindset and thought process allows them to come to INACCURATE conclusions about me.
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THIS IS THE ORIGINAL TWEET THAT I FIRST MADE
Lecinqblog
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The meaning essentially behind that tweet was more about
LINGUISTICS-The science of language and sociology AND not as much as some ILL INFORMED racist comment.
We all learn a language by hearing it.yeah?We hear our parents speak and then we learn .We listen to people around us speaking with a certain accent or vocabulary , we pick the accent and vocabulary as well.
So basically, In order to be able to pick up a particular vocabulary or accent of english, You need to be exposed to native speakers of that DIALECT
Speaking of dialect, You need to understand that , Spanish though spoken in Mexico and Spain, is quite differently spoken in each of these countries.Similarly prior to RACIAL INTEGRATION IN AMERICA, BUT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN SLAVERY WAS ALREADY ABOLISHED most FORMER AFRICAN AMERICAN SLAVES got culturally marginalized into living in poor neighborhoods called ghettos.Many other foreign immigrants were also similarly DISCRIMINATED AGAINST during that time and were paid very very less and thus other Ethnic NON-WHITE communities also ended up living in the ghettos alongside the African Americans.
Soon, what developed was a new vocubulary of English that was quite different from what the Then White people spoke..
After all, ENGLISH is a European language..yeah?
Anyone who first learned it , especially if from other non english speaking communities did so as a SECOND LANGUAGE..and so, they spoke in an accent much akin to the sounds of their native language.
So, coming back to cultural maginalization of non white ethnic groups to ghettos for decades led to a newer vocabulary with newer words...adapted from each of their own ethnic languages...but this Ghetto english was only limited to America.
Now in today's america==with Hip-hop lyrics being so popular and the whole African American culture which developed during older times becoming COOL..More and more people are more familiar with those terms which at one point of time were not known outside of the ghettos..
So,yeah.that is all I meant..when i wrote that tweet.
..How and where does this difference arise from?
It arises from the local culture, the financial situation etc..
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The tweet was also a musing about how PEOPLE IN KENYA AND NIGERIA..who are my twitter friends , have managed to learn this language.
Surely, Kenya is geographically very very far away from say Newyork or Chicago yeah? Where words like "Ass whooping" "Mami" are not supposed to be part of normal kenyan everyday english.
That is when it occurred to me that TWITTER was acting as THE MEDIUM FOR CULTURAL INTERMINGLING.
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I also have to clarify here that I didn't mean that tweet in Any given racist way at all..I am far from racist...
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coming back to the Twitter story,,As soon as i Posted that Tweet, One of my very good friends
@SAFARI_BLACK totally took offence to that tweet and RTed ...he seemed very angry.
Some other person then read that RT and automatically assumed that I am this "white chick" and then RTed it too, adding a caustic preface to the RT..
What was sad was that both safari and this other lady automatically first assumed that I am not black and they also assumed I am this rich white chick and somehow because I am this rich white chick I have no right to talk about Ghetto English..boy!!!
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I CLEARLY APOLOGIZE , first off , if that tweet either came across as ILL-INFORMED, or RACIST in any way,.I DIDN'T MEAN IT IN THAT WAY AT ALL.
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I also took the time to clarify it with SAFARI and others on twitter..
Here is a copy of my CLARIFICATION TWEETS ON THERE
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MY FIRST TWEET that caused trouble
Lecinqblog
I have a question,How come everyone on twitter,irrespective of country of origin, is speaking in CLASSIC AFRICAN AMERICAN GHETTO VOCABULARY?
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SAFARI_BLACK says to me
@Lecinqblog -Excuse me lady What exactly is "Classic AFRICAN AMERICAN Ghetto Vocabulary" ?? that statement makes u sound like Bill O'reilly
SAFARI_BLACK says to me
WtF ? "Classic African American Ghetto Vocabulary??" Gtfo My timeline with that Racist Ass Colonial white sheet KKK talk
SAFARI_BLACK says as in he RTs me with a p.s.
I hve a question,How come everyone on twitter,irrespective of country of origin, is spkng in CLASSIC AFRICAN AMERICAN GHETTO VOCAB? <- WTF
SAFARI_BLACK SAYS
Rt- @Lecinqblog I hve a ?How come everyone on twitter,irrespective of country of origin, is spkng in CLASSIC AFRICAN AMERICAN GHETTO VOCAB?
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK it is not racist at all. In the ghettos, African americans often ending up living with mexicans and other ethnic groups.
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK this accidental cultural intermingling that occured due to similar econcomic background led to a new breed of english language
SAFARI_BLACK says this
@Lecinqblog - African American Is not a race its a Label created by Europeans There is NO country called AFRICA AMERICA
SAFARI_BLACK says this
@Lecinqblog - There is no such thing as a "new Breed" Of language . We are not from Europe
IamRah says this
Please read what this white chick tweeted RT @SAFARI_BLACK: Rt- @Lecinqblog I hve a ?How come everyone on (cont) http://tl.gd/194b6c
SAFARI_BLACK says this
@Lecinqblog - you do not define what Our language is , and thats completely whats wrong with america , Colonialist attemptiong to define
SAFARI_BLACK says this
@Lecinqblog - cont. Attempting to define Our culture... i have no desire to claim any parts of Europe MRs.
SAFARI_BLACK says this
@Lecinqblog - i dont tell Jews how to rock Yamukahs , I dont tell the Chinaman how to harvest wheatgrass .. stay out that lane please
Lecinqblog says this
@IamRah it is funny how U automatically assume I am a "white" "chick".That tweet was more about LANGUAGE EVOLUTION and not meant 2 B racist
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK what is 'YOUR'language.I think you are being more racist when U ASSUME that i am a european viking sister.I live in the ghetto
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK I live in the ghetto sir and I am NOT A EUROPEAN WHITE CHICK.I was only talking about LINGUISITICS.
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK You seem to be more racist.You are stereotyping jew behavior, stererotyping chinaman behavior.Look at yourself.geezus
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK I live in the Ghetto and it is MY CULTURE too as much as it is your culture.So, you don't STAKE SOLE RIGHTS on the ghetto now
Lecinqblog says this
@IamRah I have to clarify that i was making an observation about LINGUISTICS.It was meant to be racist in any given way.
Lecinqblog says this
CLARIFICATION:CLASSIC(post slavery but before cultural integration in schools) AFRICAN(=Ethnic origin)AMERICAN(nationality) GHETTO(economic)
Lecinqblog says this
The phrase "African American" is NOT RACIST just like the phrases "Italian American" "chinese American" "Indian American" ARE NOT RACIST.pls
Lecinqblog says this
People learn vocabulary by hearing.So,it just surprised me that people from kenya R using words like"MAMI"(mexican), "Ass-whooping(brooklyn)
Lecinqblog says this
Then i figured that Kenyans are learning this new vocabulary from their African American counterparts via twitter.CULTURAL INTERMINGLING
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK I am sorry sir If I offended you in any way , but it was only an observation on LINGUISTIC EVOLUTION,not meant in a racist way
Lecinqblog says this
American History:Slavery-african orgin peeps R forced into slavery in America>Abolition of slavery>DELIBERATE cultural segregation in ghetto
Lecinqblog says this
American History:Many mexicans Illegally immigrate in2 America>Due 2 illegal status they fail 2 get well paying jobs>end up living in ghetto
Lecinqblog says this
American History:There were very INHUMAN,CRUEL laws back in early 1930s against CHINESE workers>resulting in them living in ghettos
Lecinqblog says this
AMERICAN HISTORY:By 1950s cultural and economic segregation of non whites in ghettos led to a rich new culture,language developing there
Lecinqblog says this
American History:Linguistics:coz Italians,African Americans,chinese Americans and Mexican Americans lived together in ghetto=new vocabulary
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK CLASSIC(old world PRE racial integration in America)AFRICAN(Ethnicity) AMERICAN(nationality)Ghetto(low socio economic group)
Lecinqblog says this
CLARIFICATION:I was only talking about the new words that have been added to the english language due to cultural intermingling in ghetto.
Lecinqblog says this
CLARIFICATION: Examples of Ghetto english: "Ass whooping" where "whooping" being a distortion of the word "whipping", 'AKS" which is "ASK"
IamRah says this
@Lecinqblog No what is funny is tht u r addressing me instd of the Brother who called u out. U think I'm less threatening? And IDC what u r.
IamRah says this
@Lecinqblog Do not tweet me directly. U r not worthy...
Lecinqblog says this
@IamRah no..it is coz you RTed what he RTed and called me "white" "chick" .Just had to clarify that I am not white and I am NOT RACIST.
IamRah says this
@Lecinqblog @SAFARI_BLACK Did she say she lives in the ghetto so it's her culture too? Who says we're from the ghetto?? Stop tweeting chick.
IamRah says this
This chick needs help... RT @Lecinqblog: @SAFARI_BLACK I live in the Ghetto and it is MY CULTURE too as much as (cont) http://tl.gd/195pud
SAFARI_BLACK says this
@Lecinqblog - Fyi , neither of those terms are racist .
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK what is 'YOUR'language.I think you are being more racist when U ASSUME that i am a european viking sister.I live in the ghetto
SAFARI_BLACK says this
@Lecinqblog - And the reason i know your a white supremecist is that if you were not when it was noted that u had offended u wld have stepd
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK That tweet was basically about LANGAUGE EVOLUTION that happens in communities where cultural mingling is maximum
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK I didn't mean to be racist in any give way..at all..trust me..if it came across that way, my apologies
SAFARI_BLACK says this
@Lecinqblog - U wld have stepped bck and reviewed and appologized . My statement was that i dont define the culture of other ppl
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK sir.I have 2 clarify that I actually live in the ghetto and I am not WHITE.That tweet was abt LINGUISTICS.don't misunderstand!
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK I apologized and clarified way back but by then you had already blocked me and gone off.
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK I live in the ghetto sir and I am NOT A EUROPEAN WHITE CHICK.I was only talking about LINGUISTICS.
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK You seem to be more racist.You are stereotyping jew behavior, stereotyping chinaman behavior.Look at yourself.geezus
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK I live in the Ghetto and it is MY CULTURE too as much as it is your culture.So, you don't STAKE SOLE RIGHTS on the ghetto now
Lecinqblog says this
CLARIFICATION:CLASSIC(post slavery but before cultural integration in schools) AFRICAN(=Ethnic origin)AMERICAN(nationality) GHETTO(economic)
Lecinqblog says this
The phrase "African American" is NOT RACIST just like the phrases "Italian American" "chinese American" "Indian American" ARE NOT RACIST.pls
Lecinqblog says this
People learn vocabulary by hearing.So,it just surprised me that people from kenya R using words like"MAMI"(mexican), "Ass-whooping(brooklyn)
Lecinqblog says this
Then i figured that Kenyans are learning this new vocabulary from their African American counterparts via twitter.CULTURAL INTERMINGLING
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK I am sorry sir If I offended you in any way , but it was only an observation on LINGUISTIC EVOLUTION,not meant in a racist way
Lecinqblog says this
American History:Slavery-african orgin peeps R forced into slavery in America>Abolition of slavery>DELIBERATE cultural segregation in ghetto
Lecinqblog says this
American History:Many mexicans Illegally immigrate in2 America>Due 2 illegal status they fail 2 get well paying jobs>end up living in ghetto
Lecinqblog says this
American History:There were very INHUMAN,CRUEL laws back in early 1930s against CHINESE workers>resulting in them living in ghettos
Lecinqblog says this
AMERICAN HISTORY:By 1950s cultural and economic segregation of non whites in ghettos led to a rich new culture,language developing there
Lecinqblog says this
American History:Linguistics:coz Italians,African Americans,chinese Americans and Mexican Americans lived together in ghetto=new vocabulary
Lecinqblog says this
@SAFARI_BLACK CLASSIC(old world PRE racial integration in America)AFRICAN(Ethnicity) AMERICAN(nationality)Ghetto(low socio economic group)
Lecinqblog says this
CLARIFICATION:I was only talking about the new words that have been added to the english language due to cultural intermingling in ghetto.
Lecinqblog says this
CLARIFICATION: Examples of Ghetto english: "Ass whooping" where "whooping" being a distortion of the word "whipping", 'AKS" which is "ASK"
Lecinqblog says this
If any of you are here because @SAFARI_BLACK RT ed my tweet>CLARIFICATION:I am not racist,I am not a white chick,read explanation below!!
Since , they assumed I WAS white, according to them I NOW don't belong in their community?ISN'T THAT RACISM?
Also, I went and read that TEDIOUS back and forth conversation to see if I erred somewhere.I am glad I didn't..My arguments here:
First off, the originally tweet was QUICKLY retweeted by this person AS PART OF A KNEE JERK REACTION and with an intent to INCITE the ATTACKING MOBS ON ME?
SEcondly, the repeat RE-TWEETS by this lady are worse. She actually states about me saying "this white chick needs help" and then when I actually try to engage her in a conversation, she fails to take responsibility for what she wrote/RTed and RUNS away from the conversation.Dear lady, you STARTED it by talking unnecessary things about me and I don't take shit.
Thirdly, the fact that both that man and that woman, automatically constantly REFERRED to me as WHITE, tells me that all they themselves focus in a person is skin tone..WHICH MAKES THEM VERY SHALLOW AND RACIST THEMSELVES.
Fourthly, they had no way to know my skin tone and they ASSUMED what my skin color is and also in the process of their ASSUMPTIONS, they also AUTOMATICALLY STEREOTYPED ALL "WHITE CHICK"BEHAVIOR,..which is UTTER RACISM and ignorance in general.
Fifthly,somehow, they think that they own the COPYRIGHT for the usage of words like ghetto or whichever other word they were offended that I USED...Who gave them THE SOLE RIGHT for USE OF WORDS IN A LANGUAGE? does that not make them BULLIES?
sixthly,
I stated, "I live in the ghetto and It is MY LANGUAGE TOO"
I never said, "I live in the ghetto too" and
funnily, in their HURRIED ANGER, they ASSUME AGAIN, that I said " i live in the ghetto too"
Further, they AUTOMATICALLY INTERPRET it as that I seem to imply that they live in the ghetto...
SERIOUSLY....WHY SUCH hurried anger?
Why SO over sensitive about a NEUTRAL STATEMENT?
None of the words used in that tweet are RACIST OR INSULTING OR EXPLETIVES..
Unless ofcourse, they assume that the very mention of ghetto is insulting, in which case, what are they ACTUALLY being sensitive about?the fact that they don't have enough spending money?I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND..is being economically deprived such a bad thing that the mention of that truth qualifies as an expletive?
SEVENTHLY,that man STEREOTYPED jew behavior and chinaman behavior...seriously...who gives any community to monopolize any activity? THAT IS RACISM IN ITSELF.He actually seems to imply that all men from china just grow wheatgrass well...WTF? seriously
I WRITE THIS BLOG ENTRY FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BLOG READERS,
So ,EACH TIME YOU POINT A FINGER AT ME, FOUR OTHER FINGERS ARE POINTING AT YOURSELF...look at yourself first and correct your misconceptions before you give knee jerk reactions to others.
I love linguistics and I love studying language evolution..
I do so in a NEUTRAL MANNER backed up with PROPER INFORMATION ABOUT HISTORY,LINGUISTICS AND SOCIOLOGY...There is NO PLACE FOR OVERSENSITIVITY GUIDED MISPLACED ANGER IN RESEARCH!
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