“Ebonics is the official language of the undefined black culture, the native tongue to the underrepresented black American.” ; That is what Steven Willis declares in his poem, “Ebonics 101,” which he performed at the National Poetry Slam ;last month held at at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City . ; Willis explains the cultural significance language has within the black community. In his poem, he uses personal experience and history to teach his audience a lesson on “Ebonics:101.” The Manhattanville College graduate breaks down how language is an active form of rebellion that can undermine an oppressive and racist system. ;”Scholars call it African American Vernacular English, but my guys they call…

“Ebonics is the official language of the undefined black culture, the native tongue to the underrepresented black American.” ;

That is what Steven Willis declares in his poem, “Ebonics 101,” which he performed at the National Poetry Slam ;last month held at at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City . ;

Willis explains the cultural significance language has within the black community. In his poem, he uses personal experience and history to teach his audience a lesson on “Ebonics:101.”

The Manhattanville College graduate breaks down how language is an active form of rebellion that can undermine an oppressive and racist system. ;”Scholars call it African American Vernacular English, but my guys they call it slang, the man calls it Ebonics, I call it America’s Creole,” he said. ;

In the final words of the poem, Willis reclaims Ebonics to communicate black experiences. ;

“He will write until the black male is able to live, be, exist. Class dismissed.”

Mic drop.

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Poet Passionately Explains Why Ebonics Is The Backbone Of Black Culture