Before I start I must first say this, I came from the land where the English language originated, the United Kingdom. It is the first language there, and it is taught with discipline. When I was 14, by the love of my Parents, we migrated to the United States where I soon discovered that the English language is basically second place.
Due to how I was taught to speak, a discouraging moment in my life happened and not just once thereafter. A few misrepresentatives of the Black community asked me, “Why am I trying to speak white?” What? Speak white? I was baffled! I did not know that languages possessed colours! That question has irked me each time ever since.
Where does it say, “This is how you are suppose to speak when you are black or white or whatever?”
Fast-forward to the year 2008.
Now, for the third time in U.S. history, a Black man is running and gunning for the Presidency. Because I have always been irked by that ignorant question, I have a question for those who “speak black”, “How do you feel voting for a Presidential candidate who is a black man whom “speaks white?”
Here’s the bottom line of my whole point, which is ultimately in regards to aspiring emcees. If you are writing rhymes using proper English, because that is your style, then I encourage you to let that be your style. Be yourself to how you speak. After all, who the hell said that you had to write rhymes using Ebonics anyways?
