Being "Articulate"

[SAME OLD G]

I was watching Bill O'Reilly last night talking about the opportunity he had to finally meet the first lady at the White House. He mentioned how impressed he was with her. He mentioned how beautiful she was and how she was so graceful. The he mentioned how "articulate" she was.

I started thinking to myself; as educated as Michelle Obama is and considering her professional background as an attorney, why would one be surprised that she is articulate?

I then asked myself the question if a person is indeed articulate why should I be bothered that he/she is labeled as such?

Now I have to be honest. There have been times I have been complimented on my articulation by "other folks" and I would take offense to the compliment. But truth be told, everyone one isn't articulate. I think we all can agree on this.

Question: Are "WE" and should "WE" be overly sensitive whenever a "brother" or "sister" is complimented by "other folks" on his/her ability to articulate if it is true?

 

[CriTAUcal]

I'm not offended by it. Some of us aren't articulate; some of them ain't either.

 

[CEE DOG]

Yes we should be offended. The truth be told, white southerners are not articulate speaking folks at all. Yet, the whole world acts if we are the only ones who use slain. It irks my skin to hear these deep, country wood folks to talk sometimes. It's beyond amazing how that is accepted though. Have you ever listened to either Bush speak before?

 

[Tony]

well Serena surprised me how articulate she is..lol.. no really

 

[Robber]

I think the issue is "they" don't say that of their own. I may have missed it, but I don't recall anyone referring to prior first ladies as being articulate. I don't recall "them" referring to any other white subject of their commentary as being articulate. It only seems to come up when referencing a non-white. I think that's why it's an issue. "They" act like whites are the rule when it comes to articulation, and the rest of us have to prove ourselves to be an exception to that rule.

 

[96lioness]

Don't be offended, Soggy. Sometimes you have to take into consideration where (or who) the compliment is coming from. That person probably ain't worth a damn nor are his/her compliments.:lecture:

 

[SAME OLD G]

I think the issue is "they" don't say that of their own. I may have missed it, but I don't recall anyone referring to prior first ladies as being articulate. I don't recall "them" referring to any other white subject of their commentary as being articulate. It only seems to come up when referencing a non-white. I think that's why it's an issue. "They" act like whites are the rule when it comes to articulation, and the rest of us have to prove ourselves to be an exception to that rule.

Exactly!

 

[SU Jag 79]

Pisses me off to the Nth power!

I get the "trying to act white" speech from my friends. I love hockey, can pass on a basketball game, and I don't blast music in my truck. Some of these fools (including a couple of my boys) actually think there is a way to "act black".

I always tell them .... Fools, it's not an act. It's called being intelligent, being open to new ideas, and not being a damn sheep and falling inline with everyone else.

Then, the others look at me like "He's not like the rest of them." Both groups are dumbazzes!

 

[SAME OLD G]

Pisses me off to the Nth power!

I get the "trying to act white" speech from my friends. I love hockey, can pass on a basketball game, and I don't blast music in my truck. Some of these fools (including a couple of my boys) actually think there is a way to "act black".

I always tell them .... Fools, it's not an act. It's called being intelligent, being open to new ideas, and not being a damn sheep and falling inline with everyone else.

OK, but this thread isn't about acting "black" or "white". It is about being articulate. I don't want to get off point.

 

[cat daddy]

Robber has hit on a good point.

I agree many people are not articulate. I never here "US" use that term, but we will say someone is "Sharp". Another term I hear Non-Blacks use when describing someone like, Michelle is, "well spoken".

 

[SAME OLD G]

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This is from last night's show. He talks about Michelle within the first 30 seconds.

 

[Panther88]

"They" act like whites are the rule when it comes to articulation, and the rest of us have to prove ourselves to be an exception to that rule.

Dead on! :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

If you've matriculated about a predominantly white environment your whole life, it becomes the norm and is easily overlooked. :|

Conversely, it's e-z to be termed the same thing even by those of your common racial designation. Both groups, amongst others, should be overlooked for their insipid thought process when one thinks themselves to be normal.

 

[Warndalyn]

Please don't get me started in on this topic...hell YES it's offensive b/c Bill O'Reilly's racist ass said it. Besides, most white folks use that term about blacks...they feel we are beneath them and don't respect us. Robber hit the nail on the head...this is the way it's always been and unfortunately it will never change. I gave up on hoping it would.

 

[SU Jag 79]

OK, but this thread isn't about acting "black" or "white". It is about being articulate. I don't want to get off point.

I understand you. All of what I posted above stems from the way I speak .... to them.

They seem to think the way I talk is what pushed me to towards "acting" a certain way.

My point was that it's not only the O'Reilly's of the world that you get that type of stupidity from.

 

[XHALE9802]

Yes we should be offended. The truth be told, white southerners are not articulate speaking folks at all. Yet, the whole world acts if we are the only ones who use slain. It irks my skin to hear these deep, country wood folks to talk sometimes. It's beyond amazing how that is accepted though. Have you ever listened to either Bush speak before?

I think the issue is "they" don't say that of their own. I may have missed it, but I don't recall anyone referring to prior first ladies as being articulate. I don't recall "them" referring to any other white subject of their commentary as being articulate. It only seems to come up when referencing a non-white. I think that's why it's an issue. "They" act like whites are the rule when it comes to articulation, and the rest of us have to prove ourselves to be an exception to that rule.

Whoomp, there it is.

And for the record, Bill O'Reilly could say "its cold outside" in Chicago in the dead of January, and i'd be offended. Racist bastard. :tdown:

 

[Panther88]

My point was that it's not only the O'Reilly's of the world that you get that type of stupidity from.

I understand what you're saying and where you're coming from. The same folx "they" put you into the same racial category with (African-American, Black, Negro, Afro-American, etc) tell you say same stupid thing. lol So, you're receiving it from both sides, blacks and whites alike. Regardless of who says it, it's just as stupid coming from both sides.

 

[bernard]

Smart and educated does not directly translate towards being articulate. I mean, look at Bush! He's got an education, but WOW. Some people are naturally articulate and some people struggle for it. If somebody were to compliment me for being articulate, I wouldn't look it any further than somebody trying to compliment me.

 

[JROCK]

I think the issue is "they" don't say that of their own. I may have missed it, but I don't recall anyone referring to prior first ladies as being articulate. I don't recall "them" referring to any other white subject of their commentary as being articulate. It only seems to come up when referencing a non-white. I think that's why it's an issue. "They" act like whites are the rule when it comes to articulation, and the rest of us have to prove ourselves to be an exception to that rule.

Very well said Robber......It is patronizing and condescending when it comes from people of Bill O'Reilly's ilk......

 

[dacontinent]

...Yet, the whole world acts if we are the only ones who use slain. ...

Slang

I think the issue is "they" don't say that of their own. I may have missed it, but I don't recall anyone referring to prior first ladies as being articulate. I don't recall "them" referring to any other white subject of their commentary as being articulate. It only seems to come up when referencing a non-white. I think that's why it's an issue. "They" act like whites are the rule when it comes to articulation, and the rest of us have to prove ourselves to be an exception to that rule.

1. I guess it depends on what circles you run. I hear daily comments from my co-workers (all Caucasion) on their ability to articulate or not.
2. Hilary Clinton, Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, Lillian Carter, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Mary Todd Lincoln were al noted for there ability to articulate both form and content.

I agree many people are not articulate. I never here "US" use that term, but we will say someone is "Sharp". Another term I hear Non-Blacks use when describing someone like, Michelle is, "well spoken".

"US" here in Florida use that term all the time. My parents used it (1909), their parents (1887), and the people in my neighborhood. It was used when I was a student at Jackson State (c/o '83). Sharp, well-spoken, well-read, and well-versed were also used.

So, no, I do not find it offensive at all. English is the most grammatically difficult language to master on Earth. I watch people reading copy daily on the news where it is absolutely botched. I hear motivational speakers drub it into powder. Being articulate not only requires a command of the language but the poise to deliver it both accurately and succinctly.

 

[Shamocha]

Smart and educated does not directly translate towards being articulate. I mean, look at Bush! He's got an education, but WOW. Some people are naturally articulate and some people struggle for it. If somebody were to compliment me for being articulate, I wouldn't look it any further than somebody trying to compliment me.

Yup. I know some very intelligent people that aren't articulate at all. I wouldn't necessarily take offense to being described as such.

 

[jsupop33]

I struggle being articulate at times. Sometimes, that southern Mississippi comes out of me when speaking. However, I spent time on the speech and debate team in High School and that really helped me with my public speaking ability.

Now, I always get referred to as "country proper."

 

[luvdaboom]

Da mufugga was being condescending; and that is some shat that i hate with a passion esp from an ofay!! like all white folks talk with the highest dignity; racist bastard

 

[jelli]

I think the issue is "they" don't say that of their own. I may have missed it, but I don't recall anyone referring to prior first ladies as being articulate. I don't recall "them" referring to any other white subject of their commentary as being articulate. It only seems to come up when referencing a non-white. I think that's why it's an issue. "They" act like whites are the rule when it comes to articulation, and the rest of us have to prove ourselves to be an exception to that rule.

:clap::clap::clap: Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[bernard]

When whites say that educated blacks are "articulate" it's always said with a sense of surprise. Didn't Bill O go to a predominantly black restaurant once and comment that he was surprised that people weren't dropping "MFs" all over the place.

"Articulate" in this sense is not meant as a compliment. It's nothing he would ever say about a white person. Although judging by many of his guest "experts" there's a good reason for that. Most whites think, if you are black and don't use "Black English" you are "articulate"

 

[XHALE9802]

Da mufugga was being condescending; and that is some shat that i hate with a passion esp from an ofay!! like all white folks talk with the highest dignity; racist bastard

Egggggzactly. :tup: some of yall can keep this swamp land yall tryna sell in here, and so can Bill O. Lets be real, we aint talkin bout "yall" we talkin about Bill O and Michelle Obama, the first African American First Lady. He wasn't being condescending, he was being himself, and asshole.

these white folk know what they're saying/doing. I have a homegul of mines whos dealing with a white co worker who spits ignant sibliminal racist shat like nobody catches her ass. She complimented my homegul's hair(she wears weave) she told her she really liked her hair, but how she thought it was really very pretty because of her skin color. :retard: WTF? my homegul is a little lighter than me. I told my homegul she should've asked her, sooooo if I were darker or dark skin would it be ugly? :smh: I wonder how many would've got offended by that. this "articulate" shat aint no different coming from "them". in other words, you're black so you don't supposed to be articulate? but they don't have the balls to say that. subliminal racist bs.