Monday, January 03, 2005

From Da Shizzle to Da Shiznit

For years, I’ve tried to deny my bigotry of African-Americans. This goes against my upbringing. Yet, I have a problem with many people of this category. The problem is not skin color or hair style; it’s language – the Ebonics slang of the sub-culture.

1. You are a beautiful woman.
You be a fine ass hoe.

2. Do you know what I'm saying?
Ya dun know?

3. Hey, that's the breaks.
Yo, a so it go.

4. You only get one chance in life.
You better rip the show.


The face of Europe is changing, and people from Africa – or people of African descent, may be found everywhere, and Germany is no exception, though the United Kingdom may boast the largest numbers because of the Commonwealth.

When I encounter a person outside the United States who fits this category, I’m delightfully impressed by how articulate and intelligent he or she is in social settings. I’m engaged with someone who is dignified and reflects pride - skin color and ethnicity means nothing. There’s no taking it from da shizzle to da shiznit:

“As many as 170,000 muthas are feared dead after da largest earthquake shake da planet in nearly 40 years jolted Southeast Asia n' shit.”