African American

KT2000

(20,937 posts)

30. it could be either

Mon Aug 20, 2018, 05:09 PM

Aug 2018

Last edited Mon Aug 20, 2018, 07:57 PM - Edit history (1)

depending on how it is used. I know I have said Barack Obama and Tavis Smiley were articulate but it was surely a compliment. They are stunning in their ability to speak in well formed paragraphs when confronted with questions or in debate, outside of a prepared speech. Tavis Smiley does it at lightening speed which is fun to watch, though I don't always agree with him for sure.

Hillary Clinton, Adam Schiff and Swalwell can be said to be articulate though their delivery is more pedantic.

I am going to hold on to that word as a compliment because I can't think of another word to use when someone is outstanding in their verbal skills. I always notice this as I am terrible with verbal skills.

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Is this really an insult? [View all] Panich52 Aug 2018 OP

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

it began with Colin Powell being referred to as "articulate" JHan Aug 2018 #16

And this from Biden radical noodle Aug 2018 #17

yeah that was unfortunate to say the least JHan Aug 2018 #19

Biden means well radical noodle Aug 2018 #20

You seem a wee bit hysterical. LanternWaste Aug 2018 #23

No, it didn't become a thing over 8 years ago Kind of Blue Aug 2018 #39

Then because sarcasm exists, EVERY compliment is a potential insult FiveGoodMen Aug 2018 #42

You, my friend (sarcastically speaking). Kind of Blue Aug 2018 #43

(white person speaking) i've certainly heard white people use the term "articulate" unblock Aug 2018 #2

Still compliment to me Panich52 Aug 2018 #9

It's certainly a compliment if (and only if) we remove the implied 'compare and contrast' qualifier. LanternWaste Aug 2018 #24

So what? My dad was reared in a former British colony Kind of Blue Aug 2018 #40

This happy feet Aug 2018 #10

'white people don't compliment other white people for being "articulate"' FiveGoodMen Aug 2018 #11

ok, i was speaking in general terms, so to clarify... unblock Aug 2018 #12

White people who claim black people are "articulate" fleur-de-lisa Aug 2018 #3

I think your explanation is obvious LanternWaste Aug 2018 #25

Racism destroys legitimate interactions Panich52 Aug 2018 #32

Yes. Describing a black person as "articulate" is insulting. cyclonefence Aug 2018 #4

I agree. Laffy Kat Aug 2018 #6

It's not that it's intentional, and that's the point Panich52 Aug 2018 #33

I get your point cyclonefence Aug 2018 #35

Too choose that particular adjective is insulting and racist The Polack MSgt Aug 2018 #5

To pick that word now, especially, in reference to AA is obvious. Eliot Rosewater Aug 2018 #26

I asked it here because if one wants a serious, truthful answer Panich52 Aug 2018 #34

+1000 Thank You. Kind of Blue Aug 2018 #41

"I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a braddy Aug 2018 #8

You're doing a disservice to Biden. rogue emissary Aug 2018 #13

Any "disservice" is in your own mind. braddy Aug 2018 #14

Yeah that's how writing works. rogue emissary Aug 2018 #15

When did we start talking radical noodle Aug 2018 #18

I was making a bad joke. rogue emissary Aug 2018 #21

Gotcha! radical noodle Aug 2018 #22

Yes, it's an insult MaryMagdaline Aug 2018 #27

I deliberately describe white people (I am white) as "well spoken" now just to annoy RWers MaryMagdaline Aug 2018 #28

They call this the soft bigotry of low expectations. nt. Corvo Bianco Aug 2018 #29

it could be either KT2000 Aug 2018 #30

I'm thinking about how I would react if a black person told me Croney Aug 2018 #31

I love this - JustAnotherGen Aug 2018 #37

Default Setting JustAnotherGen Aug 2018 #36

Yeah, it's up there with non compliments such as in my experience... Kind of Blue Aug 2018 #38