Are you confused by the title of this post? Are you confused by the caption next to Colin Powell? Would you be even more confused if you were reading a novel in which an Ivy-educated journalist, who happens to be Black, uses such phrases in his inner monologue? Because that’s what I’m going through right now. I won’t tell you the title or the author, but I will say that I’m enjoying the story so far. Except for the unrealistic and completely ludicrous “slang.” I put “slang” in quotations because, with the exception of several-years-ago-Snoop-Dogg, no one speaks like that. No one seriously uses the terms “Fo’rizzle” and “Fo’shizzy” in replace of “for real.” Especially when they’ve been Harvard educated and write for an illustrious NYC magazine for a living. I’m not saying that the character’s inner monologue should sound like Stephen Hawking or anything, but a simple “Is she for real?” would suffice.
Also, I find it irksome and more than a bit insulting (as a person of mixed race) that the author thought a Black character wouldn’t come across as Black unless they spouted off these incessant “Fo’shizzles” at every turn. By the way, my novel has a Black female character and the only thing that sets her apart as Black is her physical description.
Ya know what I mean? Fo’sheezy. (Ugh, I need to wash my keyboard after this…)
Anyway, speaking of being “hip,” there’s still time to enter to win this totally “happenin” Jordanna East tote bag. It’s roomy, it’s canvas, and it’s got my pretty face on it. If that doesn’t say chic, I don’t know what does. And if doesn’t say chic, draw your best happy face on the other side and wear it backwards. Click here before December 16th.
That’s one good lookin’ gal on there!
journeyofjordannaeast 
Broken. For why are people like this?! Hurts my head.
I don’t know. And it’s such a shame because the book has a great premise and so far has been well executed. Other than the slang. I didn’t even get into how the spanish cop talks. Always referring to her ”booty” and calling everybody ”chico.” Ridiculous.
I could maybe understand that a little bit more just because she probably didn’t go to Harvard, but it still makes you want to shake the author and be like WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
Yeah it doesn’t bother me so much on its own, but coupled with the other thing I wanna scream.
I can see how annoying that would be. I have a High Schooler, a college grad and a 6’5 Exchange Student from the Cayman Islands in my house and they don’t even talk like that when they are joking around so…
Thank you, that’s what I thought…I was starting to think maybe I was being pretentious.
I think that’s ridiculous. You’d think an editor would have pointed out such nonsense.
Or a beta reader for heaven’s sake!
This post is not about what I expected it to be about when I saw Colin Powell. Also, congrats on having the TALLEST BLOG HEADER IN HISTORY.
🙂
To both statements I have the same response: Is that a good thing or a bad thing? 😉
Latter: good. Former: mixed; I like Colin Powell, and was looking forward to you announcing he was writing children’s books, or something.
Oh sorry. I was trying to capture the ridiculousness of an educated man of high stature using such language just because he’s black. I found the meme, didn’t make it. And since I also like Colin Powell, it was a no-brainer, haha. But I’ll be sure to keep an eye out in case he writes children’s books. 😉
That is quite sad to hear. The only time I have ever heard people use those words were in jest, I have to admit. (Unless it was some kid/teenager trying to be a tough guy or cool, but after being laughed at, they learned their lesson so I believe and hope they learned their lesson.) But an educated person? Again, not unless they were kidding. That is quite ridiculous. I think I would close the book and stop at that point.
And also, thank you for the like on my entry. I was quite surprised to see that some had read it. *laughs*
Yes! When I was telling my hubby about the book, he kept asking if the character was saying it jokingly. I had to assure him that it wasn’t written that way. Really a shame, because I just finished reading the book last week and my review would have been 5 stars if not for that “lingo.”
And you’re welcome! Let’s raise a proverbial glass to not being strangers, eh?
Hi Honey 🙂
I’ve nominated you for a Blog Of The Year Award. Please don’t feel obligated to accept, but if you do, you’ll find all the info here
http://the-view-outside.com/2012/12/06/im-collecting-stars/
Xx
I’m not sure if I thanked you yet, or not, but thank you so very much! xoxoxo
You’re welcome honey!
Xx