EBONICS

Ebonics is a term that was originally intended to refer to the language of all people descended from enslaved Black Africans, particularly in West Africa, the Caribbean, and North America. Over time, and especially since 1996, it has been used more often to refer to African American Vernacular English (distinctively nonstandard Black United States English), asserting the independence of this from (standard) English. The term became widely known in the U.S. in 1996 due to a controversy over its use by the Oakland School Board.

What is claimed to be the initial mention of "Ebonics" was made by the psychologist1 Robert Williams in a discussion with linguist Ernie Smith (as well as other language scholars and researchers) that took place in a conference on "Cognitive and Language Development of the Black Child", held in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1973.23 In 1975, the term appeared within the title and text of a book edited and co-written by Williams, Ebonics: The True Language of Black Folks. Williams there explains it

"While it is clear that the previous definitions were written by racist white people who are VERY ignorant and unlearned, I just thought a black girl like myself could elaborate and give the TRUE meaning of the word". White people still fear what they don't understand and instead of trying to learn, the retaliate with their ignorance. So who is really the more inferior race? You tan in order to be darker, your women love to attach themselves to our men. Your men LOVE our curves, and your teenagers idolize our music, clothing, and our language. SO SAD!!! And get over the fact that the PRESIDENT IS BLACK!!!!EBONICS!

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