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Its said that imitation is the height of admiration. When people want to "fit in" they often imitate unconsciously.
That said. Politicians are all chameleons in one way or the other.
Obama does not share the background and upbringing of most black people in this country.....and he does not need to. All you need to be able to do is empathize and understand.
My cousin, who was a native Washington DC/Maryland resident moved to South Carolina. My goodness, when she came back after ONE year, she had the heaviest South Carolina drawl you'd ever heard, yet her husband didn't.
My sister in law, who lived in Virginia for 25 years, moved to Massachusetts and now she sounds like she's from New England. My grandmother never lost her New England accent even after living in Virginia for 40 years.
Anyway, some people just pick up on this stuff way easily than others. A white woman in my office who works with predominantly black coworkers has this going on. It's not the first time I've seen it.
Lots of black people that I know, including myself, "code switch". That is to say, when I'm in a professional environment, I speak in a professional manner. When I'm at home relaxing with my family and friends or folks that I know from around the way, I use more slang. This is not unusual and I don't find it to be a problem at all.
OP, are you black? If not, why does this even concern/bother you?
Absolutely...everyone "code switches;" my DH has a college degree and can speak quite well...unless he's at work or talking to an employee. Then he says, "ain't," "hisself," "he come back" instead of "he came back," and other slang that he'd never use in other circumstances. No big deal if you stop and think about it.
Lots of black people that I know, including myself, "code switch". That is to say, when I'm in a professional environment, I speak in a professional manner. When I'm at home relaxing with my family and friends or folks that I know from around the way, I use more slang. This is not unusual and I don't find it to be a problem at all.
OP, are you black? If not, why does this even concern/bother you?
Of course. Most of us use two languages. Like Dave Chapelle said....Ebonics, and Job Interview! LMAO..
I don't talk the same way with white folks as i do with black folks. Never have, never will. Obama doesn't even change all that much when i hear him. Like, it's barely detectable to me. He doesn't get all the way down like my pals and i do when we're together. But apparently, it's enough to cause alarm with the clowns that don't like him anyway.
Besides....like you say, if you're not black, why do you care anyway? Don't worry about it.
Obama's "black dialect" is completelly fake. He's from HAWAII!!!
He is not down for the struggle like real black guys from real places like Memphis, St. Louis, Houston, etc.
Whatever, I grew up in a suburban area with a half white/half other mother, a white grandmother - a black father who did not live with me for most of my life and spoke proper English and I do the same thing sometimes. This is truly another "Obama can't do anything right" thread. Other presidents have done the same and no one bats an eyelash. Almost 4 years later and people still can't get over the fact that he won.
I can't remember any other President changing the tone of his voice to appease a certain group of people. Bill Clinton was loved in the black community, and when he spoke and black churches and events his voice and tone were consistent! African Americans that i have spoken to have mentioned this to me! they have said to a fault that they like Obama because he is black.. but respected Clinton far more as a President for his skill and ability to understand people!
"W" slipped into a Texas twang-speak from time-to-time. Bill Clinton slipped similarly into his Arkansas drawl. Jim Thompson, former Governor of Illinois, who was born/raised in Chicago spoke like a guy raised in Southern Illinois when visiting that part of the state. I don't know exactly why these guys do that, but Obama, who I've noticed doing the "blackspeak", isn't the first nor do I think he'll be the last.
"You betcha"...or "hopey changey"...oh wait thats white trash.lol.
Obviously Obama is educated and speaks a certain way, its odd this is a particular issue with THIS particular President....Bush acted like an idiot but clearly it served his agenda..., they are all actors of a sort, if they weren't they sure as hell couldn't survive in politics.
lol that some posters here are acting like Obama is the only politician in the entire history of America to pander to an audience.
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