Steven Willis - Ebonics 101

[@Ebon_Sean]

"See me be Black, Male, use double negative to make positive..." HELL YEAH! SAY THAT BROTHA!

[@NoahSpurrier]

Many Romance languages allow the use of double negatives. English did, too, but a bunch language nerds in the 18th century decided that since Latin didn’t allow it then English shouldn’t either, despite English being more Germanic than Romance. And German allows double negatives, as do most Romance languages (Italian, Portuguese, French requires it…). It was a completely arbitrary decision.

[@IsabelleMN11]

this is so very important. not only because he talks about the black experince, the resilience, the endurance, but because he took the time to show you had ebonite is a deliberate and elaborate language that stands on it's own. it's a language that is very much on purpose, born out of specific experiences that the Queen's English just wouldn't properly express. this poem took me to church I swear. pass the plate y'all

[@winfredrembert]

+Subporter Well, not necessarily. It is believed to be a dialect by many linguists, but there are a lot of linguistic scholars that think it isn't a dialect of English but an English-based Creole language. I think that's why he says "I call it America's Creole."

[@theresamischeski71]

Can you please explain what ebonics is,I realize it's slang I talk in kiwi slang..But was this taught in School?

[@georgesibley9456]

You do realize Ebonics has origins from the slums of England. They said aks for ax, dem for them and that for dat. Those people were forcefully transported to the Americas as Convicts or indentured servants. Black people learned Ebonics and their "culture" from the convicts England dumped in America

[@IsabelleMN11]

George Sibley good for you

[@lariatlarge8721]

+joe john There is no hope for you. Clearly you have zero empathy or understanding for language, culture, or poverty. Why are you even here?

[@indiacamille2941]

"Like Trayvon asking 'What is you followin me fo?' "

[@zondreab6689]

i was like damnnnn

[@journeybeyondthesea]

beautiful

[@sjdjfieizkck]

🙄

[@natpost782]

I love how he said "he will write until the black male is able be, live, exist, class dismissed" that was perfect. 👌👌

[@alisharichardson7974]

My favorite part

[@timyahwilliams9477]

Sooooooo perfect

[@hensen5309]

Do you guys think Americans that are black are the most discriminated race?

[@hensen5309]

He’s literally aloud on the mic. “Jim crow grammar” this man wouldn’t be able to live out his little rap dream in any other time. Get with it, pick yourself up by your boot straps

[@chrishamilton2232]

As an English teacher, I am looking forward to showing this to my classes for an analytical assignment. This was a great poem and should make for a great discussion. Thanks for all you work and words Mr. Willis.

[@chrishamilton2232]

+Lillian Gish ha ha nice catch. Teachers make typos as well. Contrary to popular belief, outside the classroom most of us don't run around with red pens correcting everyone's speech all the time. We're only human after all. Xb

[@sixbones.infamy9107]

God i wish you were one of my teachers

[@chrishamilton2232]

+LattesAndMockingjays Improper by what standards. Americans butcher the English language daily, and in a myriad of ways. Ebonics is a cultural representation of English that stems from generations of terrible decisions made by those who had power at the time and is now embraced predominantly in communities where people are considerably worse off than much of the country. I have lived in such communities. I have known many people who use Ebonics. It may be another version of English, but it is no less relevant than what is considered standard English in America. To those who know how to speak it, it is a fluent and well understood vernacular. Don't dislike one method of speaking simply because you do not understand it or its significance to history or culture. Personally, I don't agree with the term "improper English." If language never evolved with culture and historic events then we would all be speaking old English the way Chaucer did. Shakespeare changed the language in his time and it has continued to evolve and change since then. Part of the discussion that I had when I taught this poem the first time was actually to analyze the progression of English from a Shakespearean sonnet, to a Robert Frost Poem and finally to the Ebonics lesson that this poem provides. My students then had to follow that pattern and try to work in groups of four to predict the next possible major shift in the English language and make their own poem using elements of all four English styles. Some of the poems that I got back were some of the greatest poems that I've ever read. If any other English teachers read this, I highly recommend it.

[@reggiemoore6459]

WOW! Thanks for coming back and sharing.

[@paigeclements3496]

This video was used in the AAVE section of my History of the English Language linguistics class in college. It really is a very important part of the history of the English language, I am so glad to see it being taught and accepted.

[@asseater0077]

"cross our ts with the middle passage. dot our is with strange fruit" damn

[@DavidReyes-tj1ms]

can you explain to me what this means i don't understand the reference

[@kaikai5877]

+David Reyes strange fruit is a reference to lynched bodies hanging from trees like fruit. The middle passage was a route that Slavs ships took to ship slaves from Africa to n America and more

[@isabelle843]

"Hipsters get your notebooks ready" hahaha xD This was awesome.

[@TetraTerezi]

well i feel attacked. jk amazing vid

[@MountainMan7.62x39]

Do you believe in White privilege?

[@ashleydawkins7510]

hey I'm gonna use this line in my research paper. Ebonics is the unofficial language of the undefined black culture Dope piece!

[@thewanderingqueen725]

Still come back for the sermon to fill my soul. There’s nothing wrong with me. And I breathe once more.

[@sonampalmo3578]

Huh?

[@MrCosbySweaters]

Boy took me to chuuch.

[@dtywuandavis6207]

The man call it "Ebonics" I call it American's Creole. That's deep!!

[@malake124]

i've watched this before, but chapter two sends shivers down my spine every time

[@terriz.2981]

Still one of the greatest commentaries on the importance of language and history. Perfectly done.

[@BrotherRashid]

I get chills every time I watch this.

[@seemethere3479]

+Rashid Muhammad bro I need a help in my english if u dont mind want get ur number

[@seemethere3479]

+Rashid Muhammad bro I need a help in my english if u dont mind want get ur number

[@dillonvossen1144]

why?

[@myaisha5487]

@@dillonvossen1144 it’s a compliment Yk how people say that u get chills when someone is singing? It’s because they’re singing really good

[@skyyg.2498]

I had Steven as a mentor and he is so funny plus he has fire bars in freestyle rap

[@akeylamonea4639]

I just died a thousand deaths. I need him as a friend.

[@skyyg.2498]

Akeyla Agossou-Houeto Steven is really cool in person

[@MikaelaRosith]

i just met him today! he’s so nice, he talked to one of my friends about theater in college and gave him audition tips. so chill frfr

[@b4thepreposition]

As a Black linguist, this spoke to my entire soul. Had me snappin at my screen!!

[@tybooskie]

Everyone needs to hear this. Language is defined by culture, used to communicate within that culture, to spread that culture.

[@d.brownn2780]

" see me be , black male , use double negative to make positive " 🔥🔥🔥

[@jamesm.gemino664]

Ive been watching this once a month for years and still hear things I hadnt heard before.

[@ButtonPoetry]

I remember the first time I saw Steven do this piece. I couldn't really believe it was happening - it was just too good. So yeah I'm right there with you. Always another layer.

[@jamesm.gemino664]

@@ButtonPoetry Yeah! I was friends with Steven in college and I am so proud of how hard he pushes himself. It is so inspiring!

[@nicomoist5336]

Captions saved my life in understanding He slips in a lot of context clues that it hurts He's an amazing poet!

[@AnyNameIsFine]

Thank you, i have no idea what is wrong with ebonics, why the hell do i need to speak my oppressors language so perfectly, it is not like we had a choice.

[@smendes2004]

pois...os americanos têm uma postura arrogante perante o Ebonics devido ao racismo, penso.

[@AnyNameIsFine]

Silvia Mendes Está correto. Eu concordo. x

[@Starpentine]

Angolana There’s nothing “wrong” with Ebonics. It just sounds extremely dumb and ignorant. I really recommend not getting into the habit of speaking Ebonics.

[@ayeelaneyy6056]

Makayla ... did you hear the poem like at all ?

[@Starpentine]

Ayee•laneyy Nope I didn’t... also calling English the “Oppressors language” is extremely racist. :/

[@SuAva]

So much respect for this guy. This is brilliant. Very good point but very good poetry too.

[@the.girl.speaks.2128]

No clue how I’ve missed this for 7 years. But DAMN. Almost every line in there was a straight bar. 🔥🔥🔥

[@Eve_Tan97]

I honestly cried during this. This is powerful on so many levels.

[@HiGaia]

Amazing and so so important! Our voices must be heard

[@bubblesbubbleton2747]

I'm not black, but I can connect somewhat. I'm from Texas and I talk with a 'southern drawl' and always say 'y'all' and 'Mr.' 'Ms.' followed by your first name even if you and me are working the same job. When I moved to Oakland, I felt like everyone was speaking a foreign language to me. There were bits of the "Queen's English"-which I only used when I wrote- but everything else was alien to me. Thankfully, Ms. Missy, a woman who soon became a sister to me, taught me "Oakland's Tongue". I did feel like I was betraying my family in a way by correcting my speech to fit everyone else's, but I still found a way to practice my Texas words with my friends. I understand how a language or dialect can represent you and your home and to be told that you must speak "proper" is like they are spitting on your culture. Power to you man, can't wait to see more from you.

[@guruvayurappanvishwanath1951]

I am from India. When I was small, I used to think that African-Americans speak "like they are rapping." Now I think that Ebonics is just African-Americans' "native" dialect. They "rap like they speak".

[@Mster_J]

It’s just an excuse for poor English. Nothing wrong with that though

[@markstockbrocks]

Doesn't translate to global peer-reviewed scientific journals. You do you bruh

[@markstockbrocks]

Can't we all jus git alaw?

[@andrewhodson]

I am using this amazing work tomorrow to discuss philosophy, language, and culture. My students will be better off from the experience.

[@Claire-ing]

YES!! I saw you do this poem at the nuyorican last year (it was my first ever slam) and I was so happy to find this video recommended to me today. You give me the chills.

[@marcusbendavis]

Mason Dixon Diction...damn brother! good on you!

[@TheTakafor]

Excellent job! I speak some of the West African languages from which African American Vernacular English originated. I have two scholarly articles published in this area.

[@terriz.2981]

This is my favorite poem of all time

[@chroniclestrapp3742]

So powerful ! Amazing poet . Never stop.

[@IsaoAcseo]

And this is why I subscribe to this channel: to find powerful pieces like this.

[@hensen5309]

I love it. Why don’t lawyers speak like this?

[@zariiigrant9223]

This Touched My Heart Ive Listened To This Multiple Times Since Ive Heard It

[@moushmakosa9111]

Great poem and great Lauryn Hill mention!

[@swtv1754]

Why is "Ebonics" looked down on, but the Valley Girl talk isn't? I live on the West Coast, and I hear it all the time. It's not the 80s version, but an updated version, and if I hear the word like between each sentence, I'm going to scream!!

[@hinata1ize]

You know why

[@ICraftl]

Can’t stop watching this.

[@amytheprettyweirdfangirl3786]

This was shown in my ELA class, man, such chills, such respect. ;w; A round of applause for this guy. *gives a standing ovation* Holy crap!! O-O This is sooooooo good I'm so glad this was shown in my school, more people need to see this, how is this not viral?! Just, wow, just... wow. :'D PREACH IT!! (and im not even black x3)

[@nounx2291]

I cry everytime

[@jasonyoung5229]

This is amazing. 😳🙏🏾 Respect.

[@navnarayanan5650]

You can find Steven's "Ebonics 101" and the rest of his Christmas-day-released poetry tape, #HisHeirness, on Soundcloud and Bandcamp to stream and download, Free of charge!!! If you'd like to donate please donate via BandCamp. soundcloud.com/hisheirnesspoetry stevenwillis.bandcamp.com/releases

[@KraziVokalz]

i can not with this poem. he went in. Absolutely Deep

[@maliquepye975]

listened to this about 10 times in a hour.. such a great piece

[@nijahdreams]

I thought it was powerful and magnificent.Well done!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@MadelynKerby]

This is amazing!

[@shadai507]

He did the thang. 👏🏽

[@RandomSelectGaming]

Rhetorical recipe... Dot our I's with strange fruit... Incredible, I don't know why, but I had tears in mine.

[@journeybeyondthesea]

Absolutely beautiful! Straight fire 🔥

[@chadb647]

This was so AMAZING!

[@amoymyers2366]

perfectly and eloquently said

[@jiyae]

MIC DROP!

[@mafungwashekumkanikazi2656]

I found out that's it's called Ebonics through 1 of Steve Harvey stand ups. We learn everyday!

[@FlashUltra_]

This is why I go to the University of KZbin

[@fatnasty123]

For when I tell you I felt this in all my past lives. For they where all black and spoke the epitome of Ebonics.

[@EDee-ki1lh]

Love this! 🖤🖤

[@TheSerrae]

More than brilliant!

[@saginevital-herne3750]

shoot! let me go ahead and take that class!😆

[@zaminadonaldson]

love love love this

[@evanymarie]

This is excellence!

[@totallynollie10]

*Standing Ovation*

[@maureenadaghebalu2082]

killed it! that gave me chills.

[@aliyahangel]

Can someone clarify exactly what he's saying at 1:05 to 1:09 please?

[@Geeksquadreloaded]

Aliyah Angel basically, he became educated with degrees, but he's from Chicago and was fluent in Ebonics before he was fluent in English

[@cheese8339]

Only thing I could say after this was "Wow."

[@brentsparks5203]

Lol

[@azsegrxdhtfgvijnkomlewrhtg9508]

I just love the use of the word "they" as possessive. As a white person who is logical thinking which happens to put me on the conservative side I have adopted this usage of the word "they" into my vocabulary. I think it's hilarious.

[@eccentriclullaby1357]

I cheered, this is powerful 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@littlest-kim]

ayyyeee southside, stand up! great poem, it was dope.

[@annpayton]

Love this Class Speech, oh oh I cant be late for class!! ♥

[@reniro9665]

Thank you!

[@amia8787]

Its sad because I didn't know of him but I'm glad I do now. Although this old but I still love/fuck with it 🖤

[@WilliamCarterII]

I'ma throw in "dot our I's with Strange Fruit" in the next paper I write in my Linguistic Anthropology class

[@gdh8066]

Waaauww. This guy is amazing !!! Holy.

[@jonathanligacion9294]

AMAZING

[@chrishaines4279]

Incredibly talented

[@nehandamutunhu9367]

straight chills.

[@justinosuji5613]

The talent is just to apparent

[@sumthnelse]

Let's go, Steven!!!

[@thomasparsons5700]

Dude he dropped a fucking bomb. Love this

[@KutlassSupreme]

Gotta love it.

[@spiritualcosmeticss]

A-freaking-mazing!

[@katokebofhe738]

Dismissed oh so perfectly.

[@miaataylor6678]

Gave Me Chills!

[@justinpowell5176]

Does anyone have the transcription for this? 🔥🔥

[@kikudagriffin8363]

KING SHIT this is a masterpiece

[@tyler-nf2sw]

Does anyone know where to find the transcript?

[@r.schultheis1494]

I think this is to high for my level of english and/or my knowledge of american history but it's still so inspiring, helpfull, interesting and moving at the same time! I would love to understand all of it. Can I find the words written down somwhere?

[@kappelikapeli1401]

You can turn on captions to see the words written. Just know that some of the names are spelled wrong in the captions.

[@iloveseattle123]

i wish i could take this class in uni instead of drawing 101 smh

[@itchntohitch4143]

Trying to sell the unsellable......

[@SomenUniqueMagazineLLC]

In a word. . .Potent!

[@aprilbrown7333]

That was..OMG....WOW!!!

[@cynthiaroullet9928]

I didn't understand what he wanted to say when he said " The man calls it "Ebonics". I'm french, i'm interested by his poem and I would understand. Who is "the man" ?

[@myotheraccount17]

Those who hold positions of “power”. Oppressors, big brother, the establishment, etc.

[@aribarii824]

Basically, The White Man, term used to describe “the system”

[@asiamarie4]

Anointed.

[@Samgeeeez]

so dope

[@alisharichardson7974]

Standing Ovation 👏

[@rexchiquine6049]

Where he go,,,,

[@JohnDoe-vf2yo]

Ho'd up... Dis vid be in English?

[@pureaquafina4732]

LOVE

[@arrionhinton1177]

Hard 🔥🔥🔥

[@RealDealK3]

god i love being black