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African American
In reply to the discussion: Is this really an insult? [View all]unblock
(54,234 posts)12. ok, i was speaking in general terms, so to clarify...
yeah, it's not a "absolutely never" kinda thing.
if you're exceptionally well-spoken, just made a great speech, or appeared in a play where everyone else mumbled, or if english is not your first language, etc., then sure, you might get recognized for being "articulate". and there, it's a genuine compliment.
the point is that *generally*, when a white person calls a black person "articulate", the typical subtext is a very different standard for articulateness.
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That's become a thing since some bridled when Obama was described as articulate.
FiveGoodMen
Aug 2018
#1
Every compliment is NOT an insult. Stop making shit up and try and listen for once.
bettyellen
Aug 2018
#7
(white person speaking) i've certainly heard white people use the term "articulate"
unblock
Aug 2018
#2
It's certainly a compliment if (and only if) we remove the implied 'compare and contrast' qualifier.
LanternWaste
Aug 2018
#24
"I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a
braddy
Aug 2018
#8
I deliberately describe white people (I am white) as "well spoken" now just to annoy RWers
MaryMagdaline
Aug 2018
#28