In Diversity class at work, they teach that people should be treated not as you would like to be treated, but as they would like to be treated.
I guess that means spanking and golden showers are OK during casual conversation. If you hang around the right people, anyway.
Of course that’s true – but all blacks/hispanics/etc. have to encounter and deal with the white majority culture. I just try to be aware of that, especially the negative aspects of that encounter. I generally don’t get measured by the color of my skin, but most, if not all, of my black/hispanic/etc. friends have experienced that. That is a distinct cultural difference which gives rise to sensitivities I try to be aware of.
Sua
Hi, room. Kyber, it’s nice to see you again. Interesting OP
What you all seem to be discussing is called “code-switching” among linguistic people. Code switching is intentional–people do it for varying reasons. Sometimes, you just want to fit in, or make the other individual feel comfortable. Many Americans code-switch when speaking to African Americans, not realizing that it can be offensive. Maybe a very few code-switch, intentionally, to be offensive…
Likewise, many African Americans code-switch when in a mixed environment. They seem to instinctively realize that when they “talk white”, white people seem to treat them better.
This is easy to prove. Just look at Colin Powell. Lots of rabid racists like Colin. I believe that because Colin “talks white”, he’s not perceived as “different” from white people.
Subconsciously picking up others’ diction patterns is another thing entirely, because there isn’t any conscious intent.
Have any of you ever met a black “valley girl”? Now, that’s a riot. You just don’t expect to hear Valley Girl talk coming out of an African-American female. 