Mary Mitchell

Once again blacks are looking for special treatment. If the media prints Daley's and other white people's grammatical errors, then the same should apply to blacks. Also, it is hilarious that some people would actually take the time to call someone and complain about this.

There is nothing wrong with the quote, and I understood her just fine. It would be offensive if they cleaned up her language, just to appease a collective. Anyone who snickers at her verbage or tries to imitate her venacular is a bigot.

The truth cannot be argued with, regardless of the social consequences. She woul dbe persoanlly offended if her language was changed to be proper, especially since she conveyed and communicated her point quite well.

Grammar is important, but correcting someone is best left to that persons parents or peers.

Please, though, dont blame it on the schools.

Come on Mary you really are insane! A reporter has to be truthfull to context and quotes. Changing that to fit what you feel is proper would be wrong. You should know this, you misquote whiye people all day.

I agree Ms. Mitchell, there are negative portrayals of some blacks in the media. The media has a nasty habit of negative portrayals of many issues and people.

Explain to me this: If blacks don't want the negative portrayal, then why do so many persist in using poor language? And I am not speaking of swear words. I am referring to words like "them", "ask", "what", etc.

I grew up with blacks. We all went to school together in the same little podunk town. They never said things like " I am taking dem (them) to the movies" or "What choo (you) talkin bout". We ALL spoke proper English. Blacks and whites alike. And there was no ebonics back then.

If someone said "jo momma" (your momma) to you, it meant you best be running. It didn't matter which momma, the black momma or the white momma got to you first. One of the local momma's were going to take care of business. No one seemed to get in a furor over a black woman spanking a white kid and vice versa. Yes indeed, those were the good old days. We ALL got along.

So what happened since the 50's and 60's? Politics?

I believe that a good journalist should always "tell it like it is" - quote the information exactly as it was given to them without any bias.

To those people who burned Ms. Mitchell's phone line up to complain about their percieved motive of the editor, "lighten up guys!" Most of us (including the so-called educated folks) do not use proper English most of the time.

To Jerry - you are such a bigot I don't even know why you always post to this column. That is so ignorant of you to assume that blacks are looking for special treatment based on a comment made by one or two black people.
Not every black person is looking to play the "race card or have the same opinion.

Well the weekend is upon us, so everyone have a good one. As for me, I'm fittin to go home right now.

I would like to see the flow of drugs and guns into the black community stopped. I can deal with grammatical errors

You would have to be a caucasian to deny that racism is alive and well. Whites can go through life everyday without bigotry rearing it's ugly head. Blacks experience some type of racism daily. Those white who are married to blacks,get a good dose of what hatred is all about.

Its just another diversion. This is a non-issue. Sure, we all cringe to hear young black men trying to articulate a basic thought. ITs nothing new; walk down state street and listen to the rappers. Hold onto your wallet though.

But, the real issue facing african americans in chicago is their politicians and community leaders, who take them for votes.

How about asking the alderman for that area of Altgeld what they do all day? This system of alderman should be abolished.

When bobbie steele accepted unearned money and justified it, blacks answer that "well, Daleys do it, madagans too" ... as if Blacks are just fine with being fleeced as long as it is by other blacks. Robert Steele is another fool who thinks that he is qualified for his job simply because he hears he momma talk about it at sunday dinner...my god people. Did you see his BLING earrings in the uninformative news conference? Is he a rapper?

THis is laughable. We need politicians with fiscal responsibility.

And, when half-witted fools with no education, like the Tillman convince blacks to sit around, be dumb and angry, and wait for your Reparations check, they do no service to anyone. that money isnt coming, nor should it.

ITs sad though, given how many afro americans rely on credit cards and multiple bankruptcy filings to maintain their budgets.

Thats right, stack them in the projects, line them up at churches, and get those votes.

Keep them dumb, dependent, and unassimilated.

And, keep them bickering over issues like this, while Beavers, Steele, Tillman continue to take your money.

Things wont change at this rate. Good job mary, keep the collective worrying about "fittin", reparations, and other simple topics like the "N" word, and whether a street should be named after some murderer.

maybe I am wrong and accepting diversity includes not trying to change cultures. MAybe Blacks really dont have much deep political thought, dont value education, and tolerate violence in their neighborhoods.

I love the phrase, "Tell the truth and it shall set you free." A quote is a statement of truth. Please leave it alone.
The grammatical and verbal structure (or lack of such)that an individual uses when speaking "does not" distort the truth of what they are saying.
Don't try to change the purity of that individual's statements and opinions by "improving" upon them. All of the readers can readily understand what they are communicating to us. Mary, I believe that you are well-meaning and asked the questioned to stimulate discussion. You have done so. The main point that comes from your respondents seems to be that they are all tired of the media (and I am not referring to you, Mary) trying to throw perfume on a pig in order to be politically correct and not offend anyone. The vast majority of people want the media to simply "tell it like it is".

People say that proper English should honored:why is it that if you apply for a job,nowadays, you have to be bilingual and also speak spanish? It seems we make allowances for people's languages all the time.

I live near Altgeld and couldn't agree more with Mrs. Wasp. I'm not going to judge her english usage and I share her frustration at the rising level of violence in the area. That is the story--not the way the lady spoke.

Why is it that Blacks are ridiculed for their language, especially when a statement or a point of view sheds light on the truth. It is funny how the so-called political correct is always telling others, especially blacks how to talk, act or re-act when they themselves are not accountable for their behavior or actions. Their actions are incorrect and countlessly we have seen more and more everyday how they are constantly NOW going to jail for their incorrect and illegal behaviors. Do we correct them. No, we standby and continue to overlook and let their behaviors mirror upon another politician and we then host fundraisers to pay for their legal representation. We need to open our eyes, Blacks & Whites, and see the real mess this country is in and it has nothing to do with proper English but all to do with improper behavior.

Why is it that Blacks are ridiculed for their language, especially when a statement or a point of view sheds light on the truth. It is funny how the so-called political correct is always telling others, especially blacks how to talk, act or re-act when they themselves are not accountable for their behavior or actions. Their actions are incorrect and countlessly we have seen more and more everyday how they are constantly NOW going to jail for their incorrect and illegal behaviors. Do we correct them. No, we standby and continue to overlook and let their behaviors mirror upon another politician and we then host fundraisers to pay for their legal representation. We need to open our eyes, Blacks & Whites, and see the real mess this country is in and it has nothing to do with proper English but all to do with improper behavior.

"Anyone who snickers at her verbage or tries to imitate her venacular is a bigot."

Well, call me a bigot then! I not only snicker at people who make egregious grammatical errors, but am disgusted as well. Now, as Linda already said, most of us do not use proper English every time we speak. I am guilty of this myself. However, my grammatical errors might only go so far as using "me" when I should use "I" or other small grammatical errors. I speak very differently when I am at work than I do at home or among friends. My parents would correct me when I used the wrong word or improper grammar. I took the time to read my grammar books when I was in elementary school. I don't believe that I'm a gifted person. I think that I am of average intelligence. I find it hard to believe that a large portion of the black community (and the white and Hispanic community as well) lack the intelligence to learn the English language. I am more inclined to believe that a large percentage of this country is just lazy and chooses not to learn. The black community especially is hit hard because there is pressure from within the community not to talk like white people. Does anybody remember the ebonics legislation some years ago in California?

"People say that proper English should honored:why is it that if you apply for a job,nowadays, you have to be bilingual and also speak spanish?"

Huh? If you speak English and Spanish you are already bilingual. Maybe you mean trilingual? Either way, this is not a comparable situation. Requiring people to speak more than one language for employment is meant to enable businesses to get more customers. The fact that Spanish is the language that most employers require potential employees to be fluent in is only reflective of the fact that Spanish is the most wide spread non-English language spoken in the United States. If French or Russian, for instance, were to replace Spanish, you would probably find that those languages would be required of new employees.

Also, this is not a problem unique to the United States. In South America for instance, where a significant portion of people speak Spanish, you will find that residents of southern South American countries do not like particular dialect of Spanish that northern South Americans and Central Americans speak. Most Americans probably can't tell the difference between the Spanish that immigrants from the different regions speak. The difference is there, though.

Isn't this Ebonics? Did they stop teaching it?

to I. Jones: Actually the politically-correct has NOT come down on the young people and how they talk today. These PC folks were the ones pushing this ridiculous ebonics and street talk inorder to show how liberal and open-minded they were. They did nobody any favors by this. Talk like that with the rhymes and foul language and see if you get the job when your interviewed. We both know the answer to that. Too bad Harold Washington is not with us anymore. Now there was a man who spoke as crisp and as eloquent a use of the english language as anyone I ever heard. His vocabulary and diction was masterful. I bet he'd be rolling in his grave if he had to listen to this JUNK of today.

to Lonnie: I agree with you about stopping the flow of drugs and guns to your and everybodies communities....as far as your other comment, all I can say is if I received a quarter for everytime I've been 'white mother-f**kered' and called other taunts by blacks (believe it or not especially young black ladies) when I use to install and remove meters, I would be able to buy us dinner for a month. I'm sure other whites on this blog could give you some experiences.

I understood what she meant. In fact I hear creative language like that everyday (I live in Texas).
It is probably due to poor education and/or environment, but it does not indicate ignorance. I know people who are a little less than gramatically correct, but are some of the most intelligent people I know.

I do have issue with those who would put this in the spotlight, trying to prove what? I don't see any sense in discussing it. I know what she meant, and that is the most important thing.

Understanding is something we all could use...

I find Mrs. Wasp's statement to be clear and articulate. It's spoken vernacular English, it's not supposed to be correct. People should use good grammar when writing, but spoken English has different rules.

"Does anybody remember the ebonics legislation some years ago in California?"

yes,but do you remember the back story?

the back story is that while inner city schools in black areas of CA were struggling to stay afloat, the state legislature was doling out funding for teaching kids in Hmong, Vietnamese, Spanish, and other foreign languages.

So some of the inner city teachers got fed up and made the (regrettable, IMO) decision to go after that funding using the ebonics issue, hoping it would prompt the state into increasing their funding.

It didn't work, and I think it was a bad ploy as the media had a field day with it.

nevertheless, the background explains the story a little better. I can understand that the state needs to teach kids coming from other cultures, but they really shouldn't be doing so at the expense of kids in Los Angeles, Oakland, etc.

The sad thing about this article is that the essence of it is true. The
truth hurts. I just hope this sets more Black people in motion towards
making real progress. Chris Rock, a Black comedian, even joked that
Blacks don't read.
"The best way to hide something from Black people is to put it in
a book."
Our IGNORANCE is the primary weapon of containment. Let's face it, as our children see it, it's cool to act ignorant even if you are not. Still not cool to be a nerd or to have obtained knowledge. My daughter is constantly ridiculed being told that she speaks like she's white . . .what does white sound like? It hurts me to hear and read grammatical errors used by all especially because there's no reason for it.

We now live in the Information Age and we have gained the opportunity to read any book on any subject through the efforts of our ancestors' fight for freedom (not to mention the right to vote), yet we refuse to read.
There are numerous books readily available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com not to mention our bookstores provide solid blueprints to reach economic equality (which should have been our fight all along),but few read consistently, if at all.

If you read it, you can write it and speak it when you recognize it

Why does "Wasp [Embarrass] us?" And who is us? I'm not, as a Black person, embarrased by that so much as I am by the fact that we could be using this time to speak constructively about the conditions that make her feel like her neighborhood is the "devil's playground." Is it a fact that Black people are judged by the action/inactions/speech patterns of one Black person? Yes. Who cares!?!
When are we going to stop caring what white people think? Believe me, there is more necessary work to be done. We realize that a psychosis called white supremacy is latent and not dead,we insulate ourselves,we build strong institutions and shoulders,we raise our children,we know our cultural imperatives, while remaining dilligent about making sure the rule of law is applied vis-a-vis our relations with OUR country. And in the end what a white person thinks/laughs about/imitates/believes (especially when it is defaming of Black people and when it negates Black humanity) don't mean poot.

Fannie Lou Hamer said in response to the all Black Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party being offered by the national Democratic Party, two seats instead of recalling the racist members of the state's regular party:
We didn't come all this way for no two seats, 'cause all of us is tired. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired."

And to Vise-Presidential nominee Hubert Humphrey"
"Do you mean to tell me that your position is more important than four hundred thousand black people's lives? Senator Humphrey, I know lots of people in Mississippi who have lost their jobs trying to register to vote. I had to leave the plantation where I worked in Sunflower County, Mississippi. Now if you lose this job of Vice-President because you do what is right, because you help the MFDP, everything will be all right. God will take care of you. But if you take [the nomination] this way, why, you will never be able to do any good for civil rights, for poor people, for peace, or any of those things you talk about. Senator Humphrey, I'm going to pray to Jesus for you."
That doesnt make me cringe it makes a rod of steel shoot up my spine and it sustains me and makes me realize my mission, and what Im called to do EVERYDAY.

Why does "Wasp [Embarrass] us?" And who is us? I'm not, as a Black person, embarrased by that so much as I am by the fact that we could be using this time to speak constructively about the conditions that make her feel like her neighborhood is the "devil's playground." Is it a fact that Black people are judged by the action/inactions/speech patterns of one Black person? Yes. Who cares!?!
When are we going to stop caring what white people think? Believe me, there is more necessary work to be done. We realize that a psychosis called white supremacy is latent and not dead,we insulate ourselves,we build strong institutions and shoulders,we raise our children,we know our cultural imperatives, while remaining dilligent about making sure the rule of law is applied vis-a-vis our relations with OUR country. And in the end what a white person thinks/laughs about/imitates/believes (especially when it is defaming of Black people and when it negates Black humanity) don't mean poot.

Fannie Lou Hamer said in response to the all Black Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party being offered by the national Democratic Party, two seats instead of recalling the racist members of the state's regular party:
We didn't come all this way for no two seats, 'cause all of us is tired. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired."

And to Vise-Presidential nominee Hubert Humphrey"
"Do you mean to tell me that your position is more important than four hundred thousand black people's lives? Senator Humphrey, I know lots of people in Mississippi who have lost their jobs trying to register to vote. I had to leave the plantation where I worked in Sunflower County, Mississippi. Now if you lose this job of Vice-President because you do what is right, because you help the MFDP, everything will be all right. God will take care of you. But if you take [the nomination] this way, why, you will never be able to do any good for civil rights, for poor people, for peace, or any of those things you talk about. Senator Humphrey, I'm going to pray to Jesus for you."
That doesnt make me cringe it makes a rod of steel shoot up my spine and it sustains me and makes me realize my mission, and what Im called to do EVERYDAY.

LO and BEHOLD! . . .
Jerry and I agree that it is hilarious (though Im sure we laugh for different reasons, me to keep from crying) that someone called to COMPLAIN. Where are these people when we really need to be complaining?

As a former journalism student and reporter/editor, I am STRONGLY in favor of "cleaning up" quotes, from anyone of any ethnic background or social standing, so long as the "essence" of the quote is preserved. The person is already "on the spot" by appearing in the newspaper - why make matters worse by exposing his/her grammar to ridicule?

Did you read the comment by the black alderman who got indicted yesterday? She said that all alderman are ho's....what the heck is a ho? Don't our elected officials have a sense of decency? I take that as a racist statement and I am not even black.

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Disclaimer:
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Could people please not comment to any thing Jerry posts, whether you are an allege guilty white liberal, white conservative, black nationalist, black radicalist or possibly a black liberal or conservative?

It is quite apparent this person only posts to agitate. Initially, I wanted the moderator to NOT posts his comments, but like everyone else, the First Amendment is on their side. But it does not mean we have to placate their non-sense and belligerent behavior. Obviously, this person has too much free time, and uses it for no good.

I want everyone to understand, I'm fittin' to never read another post by this person, yet I want all other white people or other people of color, as Ms. Mitchell asked in the initial stages of creating this blog, to come talk and come clean. No one is looking forward to reading a sanitized or politically correct posts on topics, issues and concerns of the people.

What I am stating, Jerry is useless, except to espouse ignorance at every opportunity he get.

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The word fittin' is not grammatically correct, but I think I have heard more white Southers use this word than Blacks. Write Jeff Foxworthy about Southern dialect, and no I don't base my opinion on a T.V. show or comedian. I think we all have relatives who grammar is a little askewed to what the dominant culture expects it to be.

Case in point, my own father, and some of his brothers can put a serious hurting on the English language. They are Southern born, but good men. I have been in public places with them, observe how they will restrain talking or hold a conversation as when enclosed in the confines of their family or the African American community...*sigh*...

It pains me inside to see them struggle, but I will NOT CHANGE my facial expression because they DO NOT have command of the English language as I have. I encourage them to keep talking by continuously speaking with them no matter where the HECK we are. No, I don't change the dialect of the language, yet neither do I use the so-called big words either, to make them more uncomfortable. // Hell they know them, just not sure how to or when to use them...*smile*

I know NOT ALL white people have a great command of the English language, but my relatives do not, or feel comfortable enough to point it out. Have any of you heard transplanted Europeans in American, who have been in the country less than fifty to seventy-five years mangled the standard English?

Some will use this as an excuse for why whites mis-speak, but why do people of African descent still do it after centuries of being in this country? When the government legislates that Separate is Equal, but give white students brand new books, but give the minority students used books with pages missing or no books at all, why are they expected to compete on the same level? Though this is not the law of the land TODAY, it is still in the hearts of many of the dominant culture. White flight in housing, bias testing on school exams, and unequal funding for schools is a beginning of negativity for a people.

While one person stated a person is they is a bigot for laughing at the venacular of a person, and the other person admitted as much of being a bigot for doing this, shows how far we must continue to work towards EQUAL EDUCATION for all.

Personally, I don't think a person is a bigot when laughing at another person who doesn't enuciate their words with clearity, or cannot grammatically diagram a correct sentence, or speak one. I have my lapses on lazy language, I simply am better at discerning when to do it and when to be more comfortable with mis-pronunciations.

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The biggest problem being missed in this story is a mother who had a 17 year old son die, and now worries her 10-year old son is not safe. That is the story, NOT the mis-spoken word of the English language.

Please overlook any sentences, paragraphs or mis-spelled words, the ISSUE is about a Mother who is worried about her 10-year old child.

As shocking as it may seem to most of you, these are not grammatical errors. The grammar is correct, but from a dialect that is different from Standard American English. It's no different from a British person saying 'Liverpool were defeated 3-2." Would you correct that? Black English is not ungrammatical from your dialect, just different. Until you can get your head around that fact, you really don't have anything intelligent to say about this.

Lonnie - you hit the nail on the head! I agree; why is everyone focused on grammar its improper usage? Why aren't we more focused on issues that genuinely affect the black community? Why hasn’t anyone mentioned Alderman Troutman and the mess she’s in? We tend to overlook people in our own community who are taking advantage of us and focus on being defensive. What about the idiot that we elected to Cook County Board President? What is his plan to help the black community? I mean the black community outside of his personal circle of cronies who he is hiring at six figures, while he cuts the budget for healthcare workers. I’m sick and tired of seeing the black community give our votes and our support to those who are not doing their utmost to improve our communities, but instead voting someone just because their black. Rather than focusing on HOW someone is saying something, let’s focus on WHAT they’re saying. And let’s focus on real issues.

Justin there was never any ebonics legislation in California . . .you're uninformed.
And JUSTIN there is no such thing as an agreed upon standard American English never has been. . .there are in fact competing standards . . . African American Standard English has been recognized as an alternative form of a bastard language called english for almost 50 years now.
Dont get me wrong I understand the necessity for Black children to learn and master so-called standard english, that is necessary to conduct business and be taken seriously. But I dont think it's necessary to lose what is cultural.
And where do you find that "most" Black people don't learn the english language . . .you're right you are not a gifted person.
AND I have lived in many Black comunities and have taught in many schools and have never seen or felt the pressure to not talk white, especially since most white people I've encountered don't speak english well. I think it might be the case that whites being in the majority feel that the way they speak is just more universally acceptable, its certainly not correct.

Remember to make sure you all watch the honorable George W. Bush's speech tonight about the new strategy in Iraq. Speaking of politics, I hear that Alvin, don't call me Al, Sharpton is probably going to run for President again. This kills Hussein Obama because he and Sharpton will split the black vote. Which means Obama will only get half the black vote and only the GWL vote. Which will not be enough to win the nomination.

So what if Ms. Wasp's language was less than perfect. A quote is just that, a quote, not a paraphrase. How about everyone getting concerned about Oprah's degrading quote regarding inner city schools and the students. I am more apalled that she evidently is getting away with demeaning the black children of inner city schools than I am about Ms. Wasp's heart-felt comments.

By the way O., not all inner city school children want Ipods and sneakers. Many want food, shelter, love and support. And there are a lot of bright students who have the urge to learn.

Please excuse any typo's or grammatical errors.:-)

This is absolutely silly!!!
Some of your readers, especially thoses with dubious backgrounds, actually believe that only BLACK screw up the English language. Apparently these people have lived their entire lives in Canaryville or Englewood. Any short term trip to either coasts of this country should leave them totally dismayed, with the language usage. Why is anybody making a big deal of this. We have a president that can't speak formally, a vice presid