It’s Gen Z trying to claim Black terminology as internet slang for me. This month, we discuss AAVE, better known as ebonics, and we trace back the roots of why Black Americans have a certain way of communicating with each other that has evolved over time. And when non-Black folks, from Kombucha Girl to Awkafina, continuously try it by attempting to co-opt our culture and language, we offer them a gift to help them understand the error of their ways: these hands. Then we wrap by discussing discuss our reactions to the “Gen Z Hospital” skit on SNL that had us wondering, “TF is this?” and in what way is it being interpreted? It’s definitely an episode you won’t want to miss. Point. Blank. Period.

Notes:

‘Black English’: How AAVE Developed From Slave Resistance & African Dialects | The Breakdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7FIky7wplI

An influencer got backlash for claiming Black slang terms belonged to internet culture. It highlights a common problem online.
https://www.insider.com/brittany-broksi-tiktok-aave-internet-culture-slang-appropriation-chile-2020

So Much Modern Slang Is AAVE. Here’s How Language Appropriation Erases The Influence Of Black Culture.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/sydneethompson/aave-language-appropriation

How “on fleek” went from a 16-year-old’s Vine to the Denny’s Twitter account
https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/3/28/14777408/on-fleek-kayla-lewis-ihop-dennys-vine-twitter-cultural-appropriation

Michael Che Responds To Criticism Over ‘SNL’ Gen Z Hospital Sketch
https://deadline.com/2021/05/michael-che-responds-to-criticisms-gen-z-hospital-snl-sketch-1234753569/

'Saturday Night Live' faces mounting criticism for 'appropriation' of Black vernacular in 'Gen Z Hospital' sketch
https://www.insider.com/gen-z-hospital-snl-skit-elon-musk-aave-backlash-2021-5