Reply #29: I would suggest spending time on the African-American board. [View All]

[Kerrytravelers]

There are many people there who can articulate for you the meaning behind the words and the history of it.

The actual word articulate means "expressing oneself easily and clearly; well formulated." And see how I used the word? Saying that someone is able to articulate their feelings and make it clear to the reader is far different than saying "For a bunch of African-Americans, they sure are articulate over there." That is, essentially, what Biden said. He noted Barack Obama's color prior to saying he is articulate. That is where the insult comes in. It's not the word articulate but the way in which it is used.

Words come loaded with meaning. For example, the definition of the word nigger is "ignorant; idiot, and miser; stingy" but the word is far more loaded than the dictionary would indicate when I double-checked the meaning just now. The word has history and the use of the word has history.

My mom use to tell me it's not always what I said but sometimes how I would say things that would get me into trouble as a kid. Saying that Barack Obama has a powerful way with words and is able to articulate his ideas and beliefs into moving speeches that inspire would be a nice thing to say. Saying that as an African-American he is articulate is not a nice thing to say. It was also a sweeping insult to the other African-American leaders.

I am a white person. And just like anyone else, I have heard things said all my life I would never thought as racist or unkind. But when someone who is offended tells me it is offensive and why, I accept their reasoning. I have never walked in their shoes. I don't know their experiences. At some point, I have to trust in their perspective. And I have to constantly allow myself to learn and perhaps change my way of thinking if I want to grow as a person.

This post wasn't meant to attack, but if there is still confusion on this word, I really do mean it when I suggest spending time on the African-American forum. There are wonderful people over there and lots to be learned. I have learned a lot from the time I have spent there.