• Responses from individuals who are displeased with the content of the W.A.W.E.I.S. Ebonics page are here.

• Responses from Clinton supporters who are displeased with some of the political commentary on DeepWaterWeb are Clinton">here.

 

Subject: "Good Job!"   You did a wonderful job of making yourself look stupid and uneducated!!  As an intelligent African-American, sixteen year-old female, I am truly insulted by your lack of feeling and understanding of other cultures. It is ignorant white people like you who continue to circulate stereotypical and racist myths about African-Americans. What is so sad about the entire situation is that you really believe this website is humerous. First of all, ebonics does not include cursing. Second, it is not used by all African-Americans. Third, it should be respected and understood. The next time you feel like being funny, why don't you joke about ignorant, poor white trash like yourself! I'm sorry I had to use that language, but I had to speak in your native tongue in order for you to understand. :-) Have a nice day, sir.   {Name withheld pending permission from author to include}

 

In your letter you speak to a concern about my apparent insensitivity in my treatment of "Ebonics". I am glad that you had mentioned "white trash" because I think that there are dialects among those commonly labeled as "hicks", "red necks", "hillbillies", "trailer trash" and the like that demonstrate an ignorance of the Standard American English language not too dissimilar from that which has been recently named "Ebonics".

Perhaps when they have a town meeting and come up with a plan to burden our already failing school system with the corresponding "Ivonics" program I can include the appropriate parody on my website.

Now I could certainly go on about the "kind of people" that circulate "stereotypes" about the "hillbillies" and "good 'ol boys", but there we go talking about a "kind of people" which suggests another stereotype. The reality is that some of any stereotype is perpetuated by the behavior of at least some of the people so labeled.

Although no apology is ever owed for ideas expressed, I would like to qualify that DeepWaterWeb fully expects the angle of humor used in its content to be an aid in promoting a better understanding of the less mainstream wisdom that is--at least hopefully--closer to the truth. No insult was intended for anyone other than those who promote "Ebonics" as another "skill" among those that might appear on the resume of applicants for teaching positions at whichever of our fine public schools.

The larger concern I think, is that people should speak freely--which is what you have done. Although I have every bit of respect for humankind, such a respect does not dictate or even suggest that ALL human actions are equally inspired or productive. Much less is there any obligation for one to speak in accordance with someone else’s impressions about the merits of any in particular.

I am fully aware and pleased that "Ebonics" is not used by all African-Americans. Further I am not sure that ANY people really speak ""Ebonics"." There are simply too many different dialects of so-called "Black English" for it to collectively be described as one dialect or "language."

Perhaps I can learn more from you as to where you got the impression that "Ebonics" magically excludes swear words. Every single dialect of every language on earth of which I am aware seem to have their own of such "attention-getters." Further, every time I personally had overheard the same old improper English that is now being described as a "Ebonics", there had always been a distinct richness in the use of terms that, if used in Standard American English, would most definitely be considered cursing.

The part that is really sad from my perspective is that you must have been taught by some authoritative figure--possibly even a public school teacher--that "Ebonics" was indeed "a legitimate dialect" that should be "respected" (whatever that means) and understood.

Here I had previously thought that I was doing OK just knowing Standard American English and some Japanese, French and Vietnamese and very little of Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, Spanish, and Thai. I presume that until I take my first "Ebonics" language course I will still be regarded as culturally ignorant.

As far as speaking in my native tongue--that you also did--Standard American English. I appreciate the effort you have made in gaining what is clearly a good working knowledge of the same. Also I believe that you are indeed quite intelligent and thank you for the candid expression of your thoughts.

E. D.W.

Clinton">Idiot!

 

Subject: "Idiot!"   I JUST RAN ACCROSS YOUR PAGE, AND THE NEXT TIME YOU TAKE IT UPON YOURSELF TO TAKE MULTIPLE UNFOUNDED SWIPES AT THE PRESIDENT, YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE COMMITTING TREASON.  yOU SIR ARE THE MOST IGNORANT, BRAIN WASHED PERSON THAT I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.    PERHAPS YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT GETTING YOUR OWN OPINIONS, RATHER THAN JUST RELYING UPON THE SHIT THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FEEDS YOU SCREAMING YUPPIE FREAKS.  AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF I FIND IT VERY IRONIC THAT YOU SHOULD NAME A PAGE IN SUPPORT OF THE DOLE CAMPAIGN "IN DEEP WATER" BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT HE IS- DOING COMMERCIALS FOR BANK OF AMERICA-  I WOULD CONSIDER THAT A LET DOWN IN COMPARISON TO THE PRESIDENCY.  SINCERELY,  A WELL TO DO PRO-LEGALIZATION CITIZEN OF THE US  {Name withheld pending permission from author to include}

 

Dear {name withheld},
 
I appreciate the interest you have taken in the content of DeepWaterWeb. Well formed opinions generally become that way from being exposed to criticism.
 
I would be interested in learning more about a few of the assertions made in your impassioned letter.
 
First, most of the opinion expressed in DeepWaterWeb, although often met with warm embrace by those who haven't taken a hit the crack pipe of the Democratic Party, is the fruit of my own observation.  The fact that I too had in early childhood (through High School) identified myself to be a Democrat should demonstrate that these opinions are not born of a lack of exposure to the alternate view points.
 
Second, I would be deeply interested in learning where criticism towards an elected official in the context of our somewhat democratic society would be understood to be treason.  Most, whom are seemingly a bit more abreast of recent events, consider, as a better example of "treason", the sale key military technology to the Chinese. Although they surely would have eagerly paid billions for the critical missile guidance detail, Clinton's sale was for a few lousy million in illegal reelection campaign money.
 
More important, I would wish to learn which specific criticism about President Clinton you found to be unfounded.  I would glady engage you on individual points in debate.  I strongly encourage citizens to test their ideas in debate and I suspect you may find some surprise in that my positions expressed are, on average, quite supportable.
 
Perhaps you may prove me wrong on a point or two, and I'll glady adjust the content to bring it closer to the better understanding of "truth" that may result from such an exchange.
 
A separate point of curiosity is what might be meant by "Pro Legalization Citizen."  You may be interested to know, that if you are referring to pot, that although I am not a user, my philosophy allows people to eventually "grow up" and make their own decisions about whatever substance they want to make themselves stupid with.  This is consistent with a more Libertarian view point, however here, people are responsible for payin' the bill for their own mistakes.
 
Pot should, in my view, should certainly not be criminalized, whether for its medicinal value, as an attractive addition to somebody's garden, growing naturally in the wild, or consumed irresponsibly by pot-heads, I personally think that people should take a few days off of the stuff before their political ideas are expressed in the election process.
 
Finally, I'm curious as to why someone that recognized Dole to be the better man during the last election, might be upset about a subsequent appearance in a Bank of America advertisement?  Looking forward to learning about this "let down" as well.
 
Again, thanks for the feedback.  Criticism, both constructive and otherwise is always welcome at DeepWaterWeb. Please feel encouraged to write DeepWaterWeb at anytime.  For a more immediate response, please do not reply to this correspondence.  Instead please write to debate@deepwaterweb.com.
 
Best regards,
 
E. D. W.

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