Dw 2b

People often regard AAVE as ‘poor English’ or ‘slang’; however, what most people don’t realize is that it is becoming more acceptable and common than ever before. Today’s media sources, such as newspapers, websites, and TV shows, are filled with Black English. Before being assigned this project I though it would be difficult finding a website that commonly appropriated Black English. My results yielded the opposite. I found that many websites used it and I just never noticed it before. The first one I found was filled with Black English in the headlines as well as the articles themselves. TMZ.com is a celebrity gossip and news website that was created as a collaboration between American Online and Telepictures. TMZ stands for Thirty Mile Zone and was created in the 60’s. This website used Black English in many forms to connect with the younger generation who visits the site.

Phrases, such as,“…the most friggin’ sweet ass unedited clip…”, grace the articles on the TMZ website. Words like ‘friggin’’ are not commonly seen in the most news websites. Words like this would not commonly be seen on other news websites such as CNN or Fox News. TMZ uses very relaxed written speech on its website. The website not only uses Black English in the articles, but it also uses it in headlines. The various headlines for photo albums, videos, and main articles are dripping with AAVE. Some of the few hundred photo album titles read: “Gotcha”, “Beggin; and pleasin’” “ Shop ‘Til you drop” and “Wiggin’ Out”, just to name a few. These words are missing ending constants and mixing words together. For example, the ‘g’ in ‘begging and pleasing’ was dropped and ‘got you’ was turned into ‘gotcha’. These are both examples that would have been supported by Smitherman’s “It Bees That Way”. She explains how examples of AAVE have dropped ending constants and mixed words. Black English is more common than people think. The website also uses many of AAVE rhetorical features. For example, ‘We’re Just Sayin’’ is a commonly seen title. It is also written at the very end of the excerpt. It not only uses the style previously explained by Smitherman, but it also uses the rhetoric AAVE feature of call and response. Call and response is a constant connection with the question and the text at hand. They keep saying it over and over again to get the reader to understand that it is just an opinion and not a true fact. “The kitchen sink is not included, presumably because Paula couldn't figure out a way to stamp her name on it.” This example, used in an article about a lawsuit against Paula Deen, utilizes signifying. Signifying is the use of indirect or opposite logic to prove a point. TMZ used this strategy as if to say “everything but the kictchen sink.” The use of AAVE rhetoric strategies and arrangement is highly prevalent on the TMZ website.

After analyzing the assigned readings, I connected most with Lisa Nakamura and her book ‘Cybertyping and the Work of Race in the Age of Digital Reproduction’. After reading her piece, I do not believe that she would agree with my argument. I feel that Black English is becoming more familiar and standard and that is why it is used in public domain. Nakamura feels that the internet is mainly directed towards white users. She feels that AAVE isn’t truly being represented. The TMZ site proved otherwise. Not only did it have direct references but it also used more subtle rhetoric strategies. She also goes on to say that the white people use AAVE and it results in a negative depiction of African Americans. However I do not agree with this statement. I believe that AAVE is being adapted by white internet users because it is easier to use. Similarly, it has become more popular and widely accepted. I believe the replication is the best form of flattery. The language is being adapted to many cultures and should be embraced for its popularity and acceptability. “…the internet is a place where race happens; even in the absence of color, images of race and racialism proliferate in cyberspace.”, that statement by Nakamura embellishes her ideas. She concludes that race and racism are prevalent on the web. I think that websites such as TMZ, Blackplanet, and Facebook are examples that the barrier of race is not as strong as she believes. Websites are beginning to appropriate Black English without readers even realizing it because it is becoming a normalcy.

TMZ.com is just one example of a website that uses Black English. The number of sites that are beginning to appropriate Black English into their everyday language is huge. Sites are using AAVE to connect with a larger audience. They may be using it to attract the African American race, or in most cases the younger generation. Websites the report popular news and gossip, like TMZ and People, contain more Black English than other sites like academic or primary information sites. This is because it grabs attention. Also, using more common words and slang makes topics easier to understand. Popular websites are not as formal or serious as other sites, which makes the use of Black English on them appropriate.