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So to take it back to OP's overall point, if you had to create a caricature or the most extreme representative from each city, what would that person be like and how identifiable would they be? Some of mine are based on admittedly outdated information.
New York
Speech: Tracy Morgan/Mike Tyson accent. Frequent use of the words "yo," "son," "B," "god," "ill," "mad" and "deada__." Talking at a brisker pace.
Speech: Slurry speech. Frequent use of the words "nut," "nutty," "jawn," "bull" and expressions such as "real rap," "I will grind you up" and "Watch your body!" Also the traditional Muslim greeting.
Dress: Dickie or polo shirt buttoned all the way up. Immaculately maintained Sunni beard and hairline with Bigen. Also any man or woman dressed in full traditional Muslim garb using excessive profanity.
Attitude: More laid back and less aggressive than New York.
Baltimore
Speech: "That's tew much, yo!"
Dress: Long shorts, white tee shirt.
Attitude: More laid back, less aggressive than Philly.
DC
Speech: Slower than Baltimore, a lot of "er" sounds, frequent use of the words "bamma," "jive like," "lover" and "Joe/Moe"
Dress: White or Black tee, jean shorts, slouch socks, New Balances/foam posites/Jordan 11s. Shooters, Madness or We R One shirts.
Attitude: More laid back, less aggressive than Baltimore
So to take it back to OP's overall point, if you had to create a caricature or the most extreme representative from each city, what would that person be like and how identifiable would they be? Some of mine are based on admittedly outdated information.
New York
Speech: Tracy Morgan/Mike Tyson accent. Frequent use of the words "yo," "son," "B," "god," "ill," "mad" and "deada__." Talking at a brisker pace.
Speech: Slurry speech. Frequent use of the words "nut," "nutty," "jawn," "bull" and expressions such as "real rap," "I will grind you up" and "Watch your body!" Also the traditional Muslim greeting.
Dress: Dickie or polo shirt buttoned all the way up. Immaculately maintained Sunni beard and hairline with Bigen. Also any man or woman dressed in full traditional Muslim garb using excessive profanity.
Attitude: More laid back and less aggressive than New York.
Baltimore
Speech: "That's tew much, yo!"
Dress: Long shorts, white tee shirt.
Attitude: More laid back, less aggressive than Philly.
DC
Speech: Slower than Baltimore, a lot of "er" sounds, frequent use of the words "bamma," "jive like," "lover" and "Joe/Moe"
Dress: White or Black tee, jean shorts, slouch socks, New Balances/foam posites/Jordan 11s. Shooters, Madness or We R One shirts.
Attitude: More laid back, less aggressive than Baltimore
If we're talking about a distinguishable and "unique" culture, which is what the first part of the OP references, then I don't think there are many cities with a distinguishable and unique Black culture outside of Charleston, New Orleans and maybe Houston.
The differences among most cities are superficial. The differences between New York and Memphis slang is unlikely to be the subject of a PhD thesis. But the origins of the Geechee/Gullah dialect has received a fair bit of critical examination by formally trained linguists.
Charleston and New Orleans are also known for their own unique cuisine whereas everywhere else has basic soul food. What you'll find in Atlanta is no different from you'll find in Chicago and that's really no different from what you'll find on the West Coast except for some Louisiana influences.
Why would Houston be in the same category as those 2? Curious to hear. Also when it comes to Charleston I would go beyond the city and categorize the entire LowCountry region or Gullah-Geechie Corridor as distinguishable and unique compared to other areas/cities in this country.
I also think differences in regional culture are a little more than just superficial.
Also when it comes to Charleston I would go beyond the city and categorize the entire LowCountry region or Gullah-Geechie Corridor as distinguishable and unique compared to other areas/cities in this country.
Sure and you could say the same thing about Louisiana. Most of the same traditions you'll find in New Orleans can also be found 200 miles away in Lake Charles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redlionjr
I also think differences in regional culture are a little more than just superficial.
That's not what I said. I said that the differences between American Black communities from city to city are largely superficial. That's not the same as saying that there are no substantive cultural differences between regions of the U.S.
Foam posites, trap music, slang and accents are superficial differences that are not remotely in the same category as religious/political/social differences or even differences in dialect (as opposed to accents).
Why would Houston be in the same category as those 2? Curious to hear.
I said "maybe" Houston, meaning I was unsure. But it does seem to have this rodeo/cowboy element to it that makes it a bit unusual among Black communities in large U.S. cities.
I said "maybe" Houston, meaning I was unsure. But it does seem to have this rodeo/cowboy element to it that makes it a bit unusual among Black communities in large U.S. cities.
So the Black Trail riders aka Black Cowboys element exist all throughout Texas cities and not just Texas either, Northwest, Southwest and Central Louisiana, Arkansas and even some areas of Mississippi. But yeah that's not just a Houston thing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BajanYankee
Sure and you could say the same thing about Louisiana. Most of the same traditions you'll find in New Orleans can also be found 200 miles away in Lake Charles.
That's not what I said. I said that the differences between American Black communities from city to city are largely superficial. That's not the same as saying that there are no substantive cultural differences between regions of the U.S.
Foam posites, trap music, slang and accents are superficial differences that are not remotely in the same category as religious/political/social differences or even differences in dialect (as opposed to accents).
New Orleans is very distinct from the rest of Louisiana though. It's not really an extension of Cajun Country. New Orleans is it's own thing.
True but New Orleans is culturally closer to Cajun country than it is to northern Louisiana. Anything past Alexandria
Well yeah but anybody from Louisiana we'll tell you that New Orleans is distinct enough that it's it's own thing. Same with Cajun country. You know the differences when you're there.
Also when it comes to Lake Charles I’ve heard more people say it’s similar to Houston and SE Texas than it is to New Orleans. Which makes a little more sense considering before Katrina most Black Houstonians/ Southeast Texas Black folks that have Louisiana roots can trace theirs back to Southwest Louisiana.
Last edited by Redlionjr; 04-26-2024 at 01:54 PM..
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