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the appropriation of aave: a thread
the definition of aave (african-american vernacular english) is the variety of english natively spoken, particularly in urban communities, by most working and middle class AFRICAN AMERICANS and BLACK canadians
it is a dialect that originates from african captives of the atlantic slave trade needing a way to communicate with each other due to all of them speaking different languages
the vocabulary and dialect is used by black people globally, with the different words and phrases being diffused into black culture through music (specifically hip hop and rap) film, books etc
thus with the further exposure of aave it was introduced to social media platforms by BLACK people. aave words like ‘chile’, ‘finna’, ‘sis’, ‘woke’ started being derived as just SLANG used by non-blacks and black people alike and it is incredibly harmful.
with social media personalities and celebrities using aave and blaccents as a caricature in an attempt to seem funnier or ‘cooler’, ‘trendy’ culture has started to appropriate aave so much more and it’s so disrespectful to the black community
the use of aave or just a NATURAL blaccent has negatively affected black people for so long. we’re constantly getting called unintelligent or ghetto for the way we talk or present ourselves. so for nonblacks to now start using it as a caricature is very racist and offensive.
black people for YEARS have had to code-switch when we’re placed in non-black areas. completely changing our voices and dialect so we are seen as more ‘sophisticated’ and ‘proper’ by non blacks. so for nbs to now be praised for using aave is absurd.
so now, if anyone you know uses aave or a blaccent please make sure you educate them on the racist implications it has and how harmful it is to the black community. thank you.
