James P. Ayers
Ft. Wayne, IN
Dear Michele,
We enjoyed your Fort Wayne Presentation.
My 6 and 5 words in two versions: THE RACE IS IS OUR CENTER or RACE IS AT OUR CENTER (in 5 words) I was tempted to ask a question as a follow up to your including the reference to diction that I will ask here. When in countries that do not speak English I am comfortable asking the person(s) I am speaking with to speak more clearly and/or more slowly so that I might be better able to understand what they are saying.
Too often I (a white man) have wanted to but not participated in conversations dominated by jive accents (think black men) that I cannot understand. Is there a preferred way to deal with my problem? To put a bit of perspective on the question I recall being the “token white” in a black owned mortgage banking company. When our president spoke it was not possible to note any accent in his speaking. When we would go into an inner city area his language could dramatically change to the “street” chat mostly used in the area. I respect Hispanics speaking Spanish at home but consider it somewhat rude when in public where most speak English.
I feel the same way when I cannot understand a jive conversation. Do I need to learn jive?
Warm Regards,
James P. Ayers
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